As its name suggests, the Hisense U6SF Pro is an entry-level TV with a little extra flair compared to garden-variety, budget-friendly TVs. Its Mini-LED backlighting is the key to its success, and it's one of the brightest sets in its class. This makes it a dependable choice for a wide swath of shoppers.

In the battle between two affordable, high-performance LED TVs, which one is right for you? Before you make a decision, there are some key differences worth highlighting. We've tested both models, and we're happy to point you in the right direction.

Sony Bravia 3 II vs Hisense U6SF Pro: Specs compared

Despite its entry-level status, the Bravia 3 II's spec sheet is one of the best of I've seen on a Sony TV in recent years, and it all starts with its full slate of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs. Until now, it's been tricky to track down a Sony TV with more than two high-bandwidth ports.

Whichever HDMI port you pick, it's ready to make the most of your connected device. All four support 4K games at 120Hz — the top 4K spec on current-generation consoles.

The Hisense U6SF Pro, meanwhile, supports 4K content up to 144Hz, so it's slightly more accommodating for people who plan on linking up a gaming PC. However, only two of its HDMI ports support this functionality, so the Bravia 3 II's port selection is better equipped for a dedicated gamers.

Another key advantage of the Bravia 3 II is its wider array of size options. It's available in both 43- and 50-inch screen sizes, which is relatively hard to come by in its class.

The U6SF Pro's HDR10+ support is nice to have, but the added size options in the Bravia 3 II lineup and its universal HDMI 2.1 support put it over the top.

Winner: Sony Bravia 3 II

Sony Bravia 3 II vs Hisense U6SF Pro: Design

Neither of these budget-friendly TVs are dressed as dashingly as higher-end models. However, given their place in each brand's respective lineup, they could look and feel a lot worse than they do.

The Sony Bravia 3 II (pictured above) leverages a sturdy panel that looks about as utilitarian as a TV gets. That said, I appreciate the minimalist approach, as the Bravia 3 II is able to slot right into any living room without looking aesthetically out of place.

At close to three inches thick, the Bravia 3 II's panel is a bit of a chonkster. If you're expecting something slim, you might want to take a look at it in person before plunking down your credit card. In any event, the U6SF Pro isn't much thinner.

Take a trip around the back of the U6SF Pro (seen above) and you'll notice that its panel has a bit more business going on — lines, indents, things of that nature. Most notably is its built-in subwoofer, which according to my colleague Dylan Haas, does a pretty decent job of filling out the TV's soundscape.

Both TV's screens sit somewhat low to the ground, but the Bravia 3 II offers a bit more soundbar clearance. In addition, I have to shout out the remote control included with the Bravia 3 II, which is much more pleasant to hold and use than the clicker that comes with the U6SF Pro.

But when sizing up both sets, their design chops are pretty much a wash. They'll look fine in all rooms and don't feel cheap to the touch.

Winner: Draw

Sony Bravia 3 II vs Hisense U6SF Pro: Performance

Before we dig deeper into how these TVs look, let's compare their test results. Both TVs were in their most-accurate picture modes when these tests were taken. (For the Bravia 3, this is Professional mode. For the U6SF Pro, it's Filmmaker mode.)

The U6SF Pro's primary advantage over the Bravia 3 II is its display hardware. It taps an array of Mini-LEDs that can be brightened and dimmed across multiple zones, while Sony's entry-level set is limited to standard, direct-LED backlighting with no local dimming at all.

The result — as is illustrated in the chart above — is that the U6SF Pro features a much brighter presentation. This is especially true for HDR content, where Mini-LEDs really shine.

Additionally, the U6SF Pro's smaller-sized LEDs and local dimming capabilities allow for tighter contrast control. Black levels are deeper than they are on the Bravia 3 II during certain content, which contributes to a more cinematic picture overall.

To its credit, the Bravia 3 II doesn't sport a bad-looking picture. True to Sony's reputation, the Bravia 3 II delivers a dialed-in presentation in its most-accurate picture mode. It handles the finer aspects of picture quality (like motion handling and upscaling) better than most entry-level sets.

But while Hisense's picture processing isn't as impressive as Sony's, our eyes have evolved to notice contrast above almost everything else. That the U6SF Pro is about twice as bright as the Bravia 3 II is what makes it the better choice for HDR content, bright-room viewing and with the lights off.

Colors look brighter on the U6SF Pro, too, as a result of this added luminance. When you factor this alongside the Bravia 3 II's limited contrast, you're left with a picture that runs the risk of looking flat in certain lighting conditions.

Winner: Hisense U6SF Pro

Sony Bravia 3 II vs Hisense U6SF Pro: Smart platform and features

Like all Bravia TVs, the Bravia 3 II is built around the Google TV smart platform. It's not my first choice when it comes to streaming software, but it's good enough to serve as a your daily viewing backdrop.

The Google TV interface is, for the most part, laid out in a sensible way, and while plenty of ads grace the home screen, it's not difficult to prioritize the apps and shows you're most likely to engage with. Google TV is also connected to a huge library of downloadable apps, so you'll rarely find yourself wondering why a piece of software isn't supported.

When it comes to bells and whistles, there's a lot to enjoy. The Bravia 3 II offers gamers Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), as well as the aforementioned quartet of HDMI 2.1 inputs. IMAX Enhanced mode is along for the ride, too, as well as all of the usual Google TV enhancements (like Chromecast functionality).

Unlike most mainline Hisense TVs in 2026, the U6SF Pro isn't running Google TV. Instead, it's built around Amazon's smart platform, Fire TV.

While Fire TV has seen some improvements in recent years, I still find the overall experience to be rather frustrating. At times it can be slow to boot up apps, and its user interface isn't as streamlined as that of Roku and Google TV. Unsurprisingly, folks who already use a number of Alexa-enabled devices in their home stand to make the most out of Fire TV.

Similar to the Bravia 3 II, the U6SF Pro also supports VRR, ALLM and IMAX Enhanced mode. It also advertises AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The U6SF Pro would be a slightly better gaming TV than the Bravia 3 II if it offered as many HDMI 2.1-enabled ports.

Winner: Sony Bravia 3 II

Sony Bravia 3 II vs Hisense U6SF Pro: Verdict

The U6SF Pro is a safer pick for a wider variety of viewers than the Bravia 3 II. The reason for that is simple: Its picture is about twice as bright.

Thanks to its impressive picture processing, Google TV and the inclusion of four HDMI 2.1 inputs, an argument could easily be made that the Bravia 3 II is the best direct-LED-based TV on the market. It's certainly a fantastic gaming TV for the price, at least.

But the U6SF Pro's Mini-LED backlighting and local dimming are more impactful on a day-to-day basis than the Bravia 3's extra pair of high-bandwidth inputs, and the same goes for Google TV. The ideal Bravia 3 II-owner is someone who owns several consoles, appreciates the finer aspects of picture quality and does most of their viewing during the day (in a room that isn't too bright). That's a pretty narrow slice.

And we haven't even talked about pricing yet. The 65-inch Hisense U6SF Pro is $699 at Best Buy at the time of publishing — it's not the cheapest set, but you're getting a lot for that price.

Meanwhile, the 65-inch Bravia 3 II is currently $899 at Best Buy. Unless you're absolutely certain that the Bravia 3 II's performance profile is a good fit for your living room, I recommend taking a closer look at the set with Mini-LED backlighting.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony Bravia 3 II review
• Hisense U6SF Pro review
• Best TV Brands 2026: We just graded them on price, performance and more — here’s how their report cards stack up

For LG TV-owners, these developments could be cause for concern. Despite the seemingly endless spool of user agreements that unfurls during the set-up process, the extent to which a TV can track a person’s actions (and where that data ends up) remains eerily inscrutable.

But while LG is taking its turn under the microscope, every other TV brand is conveniently side-stepping the latest round of scrutiny. In 2026, every smart TV on the market is gathering a ton of data about who we are, what we watch and how likely we are to buy stuff — and there’s currently no incentive for them to stop.

What’s going on with LG smart TVs?

Let’s start with some context. According to a recent investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, LG smart TVs continuously scan and gather information about devices connected to a user’s home Wi-Fi network.

The LG smart TV news gets even more concerning, though, as Gamers Nexus also discovered that select models record audio via microphones in the TV and remote control — even while the TV is disconnected from the internet. These audio files are transcribed, stored and can be sent to LG when the TV connects to the internet.

We’ve reached out to LG for more information on these matters, but based on comments provided to outlets like Ars Technica and Tom’s Hardware, the stated function of LG TVs’ network analyzation function is to recognize and enable compatible devices that can interface with the TV.

Additionally, LG claims that its TVs’ always-on listening function is limited to situations in which this feature has been deliberately enabled by the user, either by via a button on the remote or when the TV detects the “wake” words (like “Hi, LG”). According to LG, transcribed text is locally processed and deleted — not stored.

Like many tech brands that deal heavily in the gathering and mapping of user data, LG insists that its practices are above board. But critics (myself included) maintain that the process in which data is collected and catalogued is too opaque for most people to understand, and that allowing companies increasing access to our private lives introduces certain risks.

LG happens to be the brand catching the most flak right now, but it’s far from the only actor engaging in these dealings. In fact, I can’t think of a single TV-maker that isn’t.

LG is not alone

The worldwide leader in OLED TVs isn’t the only brand whose smart TVs are built around data-collection. Nearly every major TV-maker in the world is getting in on the action and has been for years.

As TV-enjoyers, we awkwardly reap some of the benefits of this system. One of the biggest reasons why TVs have gotten better and cheaper is because brands are able to offset costs by collecting and selling user data.

But make no mistake: We are nowhere near the primary benefactors here. These companies study who we are and what we watch, map our habits and find ways to maximize that information.

In addition to LG, Hisense, Samsung, Sony and TCL have faced criticism for their use of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), a built-in function that tracks what’s on screen, gathers screenshots and shares the data with the brand associated with the TV or its software. All of that on-screen information can then be used as a roadmap for trying to sell stuff back to the user.

Almost every smart TV on shelves right now is equipped with at least one microphone. And, while there are ways to disable these mics, the amount of software entanglement that exists between voice-activated smart home devices, TVs and smartphones provides plenty of incentive for people to smash that “Agree” button at the bottom of a wall of complicated legalese without much of a thought.

The frenzied, capitalistic advent of AI-based TV features — many of which offer little tangible benefit but are nevertheless the centerpiece of a company’s marketing pitch — all but ensures that the relationship between us and our data is about to get even more opaque.

Smart TVs have made streaming more accessible and cheaper than ever, but along the way, there’s been a slow-creep of access granted to the companies we invite into our living rooms.

How to protect your smart TV privacy

There’s no way around it: The best “Dumb” TVs don’t really exist, and if you’re buying a smart TV, there’s a certain amount of privacy you’ll have to give up in order to use it. There are, however, ways to nibble around the edges of the situation.

We recently published a guide on how to stop an LG TV from listening, but it wasn’t our first foray into the subject. We’ve also published a guide on how to turn off TV data collection for several popular brands including Samsung, Roku, and sets built around Google TV and Amazon Fire TV.

If you’re unclear whether or not your TV is tapping an on-board listening device, we’ve outlined instructions on how to disable a TV microphone. The exact manner in which these on-board microphones are used depends on the brand associated with the TV and/or its software, but I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with your own set’s functionality.

Until something powerful compels TV companies to disclose more information about their business practices, we — the viewers — need to take it upon ourselves to understand what’s at stake when it comes to our personal data and to draw our own lines in the sand for what we deem acceptable and unacceptable. LG is the latest brand at the center of controversy, but it surely won’t be the last.

More from Tom's Guide

• Your LG TV could be tracking devices on your home Wi-Fi — here’s how to stop it
• Yes, your TV probably has a microphone in it — here's how to turn it off
• Here's why it's hard to find 'dumb TV' in 2026 — and why you shouldn't buy one anyway

The new model shares the same core objectives as its predecessor: to provide professional esports gamers, or those aspiring to be one, with everything they need. As such, the core formula remains largely unchanged: blazing refresh and response rates; an array of features tailored entirely to esports; all combined with Sony’s premium design.

This time, refresh rates have been boosted in QHD and FHD modes; there’s a new anti-glare coating and a brightness boost, at least on paper. So, is this the best gaming monitor for elite players? Find out in my full Sony Inzone M10S II review.

Sony Inzone M10S II review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? An elite esports gaming monitor
• Who is it for? Pro esports gamers, or those aspiring to be
• What does it cost? $1,099 / £1,199
• What do we like? Be-all, end-all gaming performance and features; premium and thoughtful design
• What don’t we like? Not the brightest compared to other OLED monitors; USB-A and -B ports only

Sony Inzone M10S II review: Specs

Sony Inzone M10S II review: The ups

The M10S II has one job: to be the ultimate gaming monitor for esports players. With its impressive specs and an extensive array of performance and quality-of-life features, it succeeds. And as a Sony product, it boasts premium looks and a high-quality build.

Ultra-fast performance

The M10S II packs so many gaming features that I’ll have to break them up. First, I’ll cover the hardware side of things. And that refresh rate! With 540Hz in QHD mode and up to 720Hz when dropping to 720p (HD), this monitor is absolutely rapid, relaying enemy movement as accurately as possible, with no motion blur or lag.

With an ultra low response time of 0.02ms gtg (gray to gray, which means how fast the pixels can change color), plus Sony’s Motion Blur Reduction, ghosting is effectively removed. There’s also G-Sync to remove tearing, especially in situations with rapidly changing frame rates. All this means the enemy you’re shooting at is more likely to be exactly where you’re seeing it, and you aren’t shooting its ghost trail or some other artefact.

I’m not an esports pro, of course, but playing Counter-Strike 2 at 600fps was a smooth experience — though not particularly enjoyable at 720p. Our TG testing rig couldn’t hit the maximum 720fps, even with Counter-Strike set to low and running at 720p, but topping out at 600fps was still pretty cool. At 1440p with Counter-Strike on high settings, our testing rig still hit around 400fps.

The original M10S looks like a tortoise in comparison, topping out at only 480Hz and a mere 0.03ms response time. Our favorite high-refresh-rate monitor (up to now), the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 ($749), manages just 500Hz.

Plethora of gaming features

The M10S II also offers a comprehensive array of gaming features designed to suit elite gamers — like the Fnatic team. There’s a 24.5-inch tournament crop for competition practice, and two FPS modes, FPS Pro (which simulates an LCD) and FPS Pro+, which adjust contrast ratios to make enemy detection easier, especially in dimly lit game scenarios. I especially enjoyed using FPS Pro when playing Hell Let Loose, particularly on darker nighttime maps, as it lifted the blacks a little to help me spot enemies hiding in bushes.

Those aren’t the only game modes, though, as there’s a specific MOBA/RTS mode, as well as a general game mode for casual play.

There’s also an on-screen crosshair with a variety of crosshair types to choose from. I found this really handy in Counter-Strike 2, where many guns have no ADS mode and the in-game crosshair expands and contracts with movement and movement penalties. It was also super useful in Hell Let Loose, as it allowed me to more accurately fire from the hip and score reflex kills on enemies popping up from bushes or around corners, which I might otherwise have missed.

On that note, there’s also a black equalizer mode to brighten shadows without affecting lighter areas of the screen. This is handy if you’re already in a game-specific mode and only want to boost shadows, or if affecting highlights would hamper your performance.

Plus some useful QoL features

I also appreciate some of the quality-of-life (QoL) features found in the M10S range. The M10S II, like its predecessor, is designed with setup flexibility as a key consideration, and plenty of attention has been paid to the details.

In particular, there’s the stand. The M10S II features the same cantilevered stand as its predecessor. I actually spoke to the engineer who designed this stand at the original M10S press briefing — the stand was his passion project because he was trying to solve an issue he had with monitors. The cantilever channels all the weight into the center for perfect balance, allowing Sony to keep the base small.

The M10S II is therefore much easier to position than many other monitors. The M10S II replaced my Lenovo Legion R27qe Gen 2 (£199, U.K. only), with its enormous tripod stand — with the Sony, my desk felt so much more spacious and open, and for once I had room for other products I was testing. The base is also extremely thin, deliberately designed so you can slide your keyboard over it and keep your desk tidy when not in use. The arm swivels, so you can adjust the monitor's rotation without having to pick up and move the whole assembly. And there's a neat cable tidy to, well, keep your cables tidy!

I’m also a big fan of the anti-glare coating on the screen. I work with a window behind me in the office, along with overhead lighting. I was able to game and work on the M10S II for hours without eye strain or headaches.

Accurate color rendition

While the M10S II isn’t a production monitor, it’s still important that the panel reproduces color accurately. Thankfully, the M10S II does! As you can see in our lab test results below, the M10S II achieved a Delta-E score of 0.26. This score measures how closely the on-screen color matches the color sent to the display by the computer, and the lower the better.

A 0.26 Delta-E isn’t as good as some of the other gaming monitors we’ve tested, such as the Alienware AW2525HM, MSI MAG 272 QP, or MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36. But it’s still fairly respectable, and it means the colors you’re seeing on screen are rendered accurately.

The M10S II also covers both the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts. What does that mean? Games are mastered in sRGB for SDR and in DCI-P3 for HDR, so the M10S II can reproduce every unique color in every game you play.

Now, an ultra-wide gamut can cause oversaturation in those spaces, resulting in an unnatural, neon effect. So, more technically isn’t always better. But while colors appear very bold and vivid on the M10S II, they didn’t feel overdone. And besides, there are sRGB and Cinema (for DCI-P3) color modes if you want to ensure strict accuracy to those gamuts.

Sony’s typically premium design

Unsurprisingly, as this is a Sony product, the M10S II is built extremely well. The monitor looks and feels premium, with high-quality materials used throughout.

The rear of the display is finished in textured metal rather than plastic. The stand and base are also made from metal and feel extremely sturdy. It simply feels built to last, and there’s a three-year warranty to back it up anyway.

Arguably good value

This might sound a little odd given that the M10S II costs $1,099 / £1,199, but I’d argue it’s fairly good value. It’s not uncommon for gaming monitors to push well beyond the $1,000 mark. The Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 OLED, for example, launched at $1,099. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, meanwhile, launched at $1,799.

I know: those are ultrawides, and their prices have dropped since launch. But what I mean here is that the M10S II isn’t priced beyond the pale. And yet it offers superb performance for elite gamers. If you’re one of those people, the M10S II could make strong financial and competitive sense.

Sony Inzone M10S II review: The downs

The Inzone M10S II doesn’t have many faults. However, it’s not the brightest OLED we’ve lab tested, and the USB ports on the underside are pretty dated.

Not the brightest

We don’t like to rely on manufacturer claims, which are often best-case scenarios and can be a tad (to say the least) unrealistic. As such, as part of our lab testing process, we also measure peak SDR and HDR brightness.

As you can see in the test results, the M10S II isn’t as bright as other OLED gaming panels we’ve tested and is well below the (rather ambitious) 1,500-nit peak brightness claimed by Sony.

Still, when you think about it, this monitor’s primary purpose is to be used in a dark room. And besides, figures alone don’t always tell the full story, and I certainly wouldn’t let our measured peak brightness put you off buying this monitor. I’ve had no issues using it in bright environments, largely thanks to the anti-glare coating. And I never struggled with darker in-game scenarios, thanks to the different color modes and black point equalizer.

Dated USB ports

My only other gripe with the M10S II is that it uses fairly dated ports, at least when it comes to USB (with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, the video ports are just fine). There are two USB-A downstream ports and a USB-B upstream port. These are outdated, and it would’ve been nice to see at least a USB-C port or two.

Again, it’s important to remember use cases here. I’m not going to complain about the lack of a Thunderbolt port or KVM controller on a monitor that isn’t designed for productivity, but come on, it’s 2026… how can Sony fit a Type-B but not a single Type-C?

Sony Inzone M10S II review: Verdict

If you want the fastest and most feature-packed gaming monitor around, especially if you’re an elite competitive player or aspiring pro, I wholeheartedly recommend the Sony Inzone M10S II.

Its flaws are very few and fairly minor. What’s more, it not only delivers blazing-fast hardware performance but also a huge roster of genuinely useful gaming tools and thoughtful quality-of-life features! Then there’s Sony’s usual build quality and a fairly reasonable price tag, all things considered. I’m genuinely rather sad to be giving it back to Sony!

For the first time, a Sony OLED TV is going toe to toe with more modestly priced OLEDs from Sony’s top rivals. The Bravia 6 is $1,999 for a 65-inch model, which puts it roughly in line with mid-range OLEDs from LG and Samsung.

That’s exciting news for anyone looking for more OLED-driven options in this price range, but I’m especially interested in the Bravia 6 for two reasons: its hardware and its picture processing.

The Bravia 6 is the first Sony OLED TV with four HDMI 2.1 inputs

Believe it or not, there aren’t very many Sony TVs with more than two HDMI 2.1 inputs. Despite the steep price tags associated with top-tier Sony sets, even the brand’s best TVs (like the recently released Bravia 9 II) are mostly equipped with just a pair of high-bandwidth ports.

The Bravia 6 is different. It might not be as bright or as colorful as the Sony Bravia 8 II OLED, but the Bravia 6 offers more flexibility when it comes to current- and next-generation gaming. With four HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs, folks who upgrade to the Bravia 6 won’t have to think too hard about what devices are plugged into which input, as all of them support the same slate of features, such as 4K gaming at 120Hz.

For years, LG and Samsung OLED TVs have offered a full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs. This has been true across nearly all of these brands’ OLEDs — from entry-level models to flagship-level models.

As expected, the Bravia 6’s closest competitors — the LG C6 and Samsung S90H — both carry four HDMI 2.1 inputs. Had Sony’s latest OLED TV arrived with just two high-bandwidth ports, it would have stumbled out of the gate.

But perhaps the most enticing aspect of the Bravia 6 isn't the hardware on its outside, but rather, the software that makes it all possible.

Sony's picture processing is among the best in the game

Until now, experiencing Sony's exceptional processing on an OLED TV typically meant spending more for the privilege — at least relative to competitive sets. The Bravia 6's aggressive pricing makes the brand's expert engineering a bit more accessible.

If you’re the type of viewer who values an accurate presentation above all else, it's tough not to respect Sony's commitment to the cause. Even at the lowest end of the Bravia TV lineup (the Bravia 3 II), Sony is dedicated to making the most of a TV’s hardware.

We're still in the process of evaluating the Bravia 6, and while we don't have test results ready to publish, it's quite possible that Sony's new OLED doesn't get quite as bright as mid-range models from LG and Samsung. But if the Bravia 6's picture processing is as good as we've seen on several Bravia TVs this year, Sony's attention to detail could be the ace up its sleeve.

Sony Bravia 6: Outlook

As mentioned, we're still in the process of evaluating the Bravia 6 OLED. However, the TV's surprise announcement coincided with its debut on store shelves.

The 65-inch Bravia 6 is $1,999, but in the coming months, sale pricing could very well make the Bravia 6 a sleeper hit of the 2026 holiday-shopping season. Nevertheless, its current price makes it an intriguing alternative to the LG C6 and the Samsung S90H.

It's worth mentioning, too, that Sony recently emerged at the front of our assessment of the best TV brands. When we asked our readers to vote for the TV brand they trust the most, Sony ran away with those results, too.

Despite the tendency for Sony-branded TVs to carry higher price tags than rival sets, it seems that Sony has maintained a sterling reputation among A/V enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

If the Bravia 6 can succeed without the high-price caveat, it could end up being one of the year's smartest buys for anyone in the market for a sensibly priced OLED TV.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony TV report card 2026: Is the 'Sony tax' still worth paying?
• TCL and Sony are joining forces to sell more TVs — but is that bad news for shoppers?
• We asked readers which TV brand they trusted most — and one company rose above the rest

We’ve already reviewed the Sony Bravia 9 II flagship True RGB TV as well as the step-down Sony Bravia 7 II, but the Bravia 3 II recently made its way to our New York City test lab. Overall, it’s a great TV where Sony’s excellent processing meets a direct-lit LED panel at a midrange price point starting around $900. But is that good enough when you could also go with a cheaper Roku, Vizio, or an Amazon Fire TV?

After spending some time with this TV, and putting it through our extensive lab testing, the answer to that question is a resounding yes, especially if you’re planning on putting this TV in your living room for daytime viewing. Nighttime viewers — or folks with a dedicated, lighting-controlled space like a home theater — might want to keep the other aforementioned Sony TVs at the top of their shopping list instead.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Pricing and availability

You can buy the Sony Bravia 3 II today from Sony’s website and other retailers like Best Buy. Pricing starts at $569 for a 43-inch model and goes all the way up to $1,999 for a 100-inch model. Our 65-inch review unit’s MSRP is $900, but it can be found on sale for $849.

Pricing for the full range is below.

• 43-inch: $599 | Sale: $569
• 50-inch: $699 | Sale $669
• 55-inch: $799 | Sale $699
• 65-inch: $899 | Sale $849 [TESTED]
• 75-inch: $1,999 | Sale $1,049
• 85-inch: $1,599 | Sale $1,499
• 100-inch: $3,099 | Sale $1,999

The 65-inch Bravia 3 II is $100 cheaper than the older Bravia 3 when it launched in 2024 for the price of $999, but that TV is now harder to find.

It’s worth noting that Sony’s TVs — even at this entry-level price — are more expensive than their competitors. For example, you can pick up a 65-inch Roku Select Series for $449, or the Vizio Mini-LED Quantum 4K Smart TV for $398. Those other options might tempt you with their lower sticker price, but choosing another brand means passing up on Sony’s excellent picture processing.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Design

The Bravia 3 II is a simple, super clean-looking TV that is easy to set up. The 65-inch model has a decent size footprint of 57 x 35.56 x 11.87 inches with the stand, and weighs about 46 pounds without it.

Bezels are also thin, coming in around a quarter of an inch. You have about 2 inches of space under the front bezels of the TV, and there’s very minimal branding aside from a Sony logo on the bottom left.

The middle of the TV has a chin for the light sensors, power button, and a microphone slider button to mute the TV’s voice control features — a surprising feature that the more expensive Bravia 7 II also has onboard.

The feet, which have a plastic bottom and metal top, slide into slots at the bottom of the TV and are secured with screws with little effort. Unfortunately, those feet must be placed at either the right or left side under the panel, and can not be center-mounted.

You’ll need a wide entertainment center for this set, or you can wall mount using the 300mm x 300mm VESA mount on the rear. The rear of the TV isn’t too busy — it’s all plastic, all-black, and nothing fancy. Ports, though, are split into two areas and are a little surprising.

You’ll find four total HDMI 2.1 ports on this TV, something even Sony’s Flagship TVs don't have, making this an excellent companion for gaming consoles. HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 sit on the right side of the TV, directly below the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.

HDMI 3 and 4, meanwhile, are tucked towards the middle in a little cove, and face downward. The eARC port is attached to HDMI 3, which is convenient for soundbars. The other mix of ports in that area are the Digital Audio Output, RF port, Ethernet port, and the RS-232C input.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: How we test

Testing TVs for Tom’s Guide is an in-depth process. In our New York City test lab, my lab assistant and I personally test every TV across SDR and HDR benchmarks using the 10% window method. For color accuracy, we switch the TV over to Filmmaker Mode, usually the “best” mode on the TV first. We also disable any intrusive ambient light sensors that could skew our meter’s readings.

For our tools, we use the Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer to profile the Klein K10-A colorimeter. Once profiled, these work with the Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator and a Tom’s-Guide specific workflow in Portrait Displays’ Calman Ultimate software which helps us determine the TV’s overall brightness and color accuracy across HDR and SDR.

For testing gaming performance, we use a Leo Bodnar 4K Video Signal Lag Tester. This tool is used on the screen in the TV’s Game Mode to measure how responsive the TV really is. Once all technical lab testing is done, and we’ve tested the majority of the TV’s remaining picture modes, we put the TV through subjective testing using a curated selection of films and shows, both on streaming services, and on our lab’s Blu-ray player.

Visit our “How we test TVs” guide for a more in-depth explanation on the process.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Performance

The Bravia 3 II uses Sony's XR Processor, which is the same processor family found in the company's more expensive flagship TVs. Needless to say, it does the job excellently, helping optimize color, contrast and fine detail.

I noticed this in action across all the HDR content I watched, including Project Hail Mary on Amazon Prime and Top Gun Maverick. The opening 10 minutes of Project Hail Mary has some dark scenes but plenty of beautiful shots of the space ship's interior. The Bravia 3 II brings out lots of details as Grace plays with the ship’s various machines. Finer details, like the skin tone in Grace’s face looked natural and even the bright objects in the cold metallic ship have pop and life to them.

But this is still an LED TV, however, and Sony’s image processor does not overcome the limits of the panel on the TV itself, particularly with black levels. Without local dimming, darker scenes and select darker colors don’t have a lot of depth. For example, I noticed that when Grace looked out of the spacecraft window, the deep darkness of space had more of a dark grayish look.

For a more controlled test, I turned to watching Top Gun: Maverick on our lab’s 4K Blu-ray player. As with Project Hail Mary, the movie looked surprisingly good in regular room lighting. The bright outdoor shots in the movie’s opening made the TV look better than its price — and brighter than my measured 520 nits in Professional Mode might show.

I noticed the fine details I never caught before: the drops of sweat on Tom Cruise’s hands as he worked on his jet, and as the bright sunlight shimmering on the fuselage on an airplane as the camera panned to it in the hangar.

But, again, the lack of deep blacks that a Mini-LED or QLED TV might have are still present. As Tom Cruise got dressed and put on his pilot outfit, the blacks in the fabric looked slightly dull. Scenes still remained enjoyable though, just you will not get the reference-grade HDR brightness and accuracy you might get on the Bravia 9 II or more premium TVs.

Conversely, SDR performance is solid, especially with New York Mets MLB replays, and regular cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants on YouTube.

For SDR content, I watched about 20 minutes of a 45-minute-long Pure Happiness at the Krusty Krab video. On YouTube. Switching the Bravia 3 II to Vivid mode, I was blown away. It was my favorite way of testing the TV.

Spongebob’s skin popped with a bright vibrant yellow that I’ve never seen before, even on an OLED TV. The blues in a cabinet in the Krusty Krab’s kitchen, and the turquoise in Squidward's skin looked incredible. Even the red in Mr. Krabs’ shell jumped off the screen and appealed to my eyes right away.

This episode looked really bold and bright, and it was not what I expected out of this TV. Sony’s image processing really wins here, producing a more polished picture than I’ve seen from many budget TVs from Roku, Amazon and Vizio.

Of course, Vivid mode is designed to push brightness higher. It doesn’t go for the pure color accuracy which is where Professional mode is better. But the extra brightness really helps make cartoons, or animated series, and even sports look great on this TV.

I also switched the TV over to Standard mode and watched MLB highlights of a New York Mets game. The green grass of the MLB diamond looked alive. The “road gray” color in Kodai Senga’s Mets uniform was also great. I could make out the fine folds in his uniform as he threw out the final pitch to get his first career save.

Overall, there were a few snags with the black levels, but I was impressed with the Sony Bravia 3 II’s performance.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Test results

As the lab results show, the 65-inch Bravia 3 II performs well for a direct-lit LED HDR TV. I measured 520 nits on a 10% window, which beats out the older 43-inch Bravia 3 (448 nits) — though that is a smaller size which impacts benchmarks. It also completely outperforms budget entry options like the Roku Select Series QLED (334 nits).

It, however, does not rival the Vizio Mini LED Quantum (781 nits), which has a different technology and the dimming zones this TV lacks. The flagship True RGB beast like the Bravia 7 II (2,077 nits) also won’t come close to it, but shows just how much more you can get for extra money.

Out of the box, the Bravia 3 II’s 2.12 Delta-E score in Professional Mode beats both the older Bravia 3 (3.49) and competing models like the Vizio Mini LED (4.63) This shows its strong color accuracy.

Not a lot of content is mastered for Rec 2020 coverage, but the Sony Bravia 3 II covers 74.06% of that gamut. That is a big jump from its smaller predecessor (69.81%). It is also ahead of the Roku QLED (64.50%), and the Vizio Mini LED (71.37%). For the more common UHDA-P3, it covers 94.62% of UHDA-P3, putting it third in the group, but these small percentage differences are not something your eyes will likely notice.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Gaming

I was happy to see that the gaming experience on the Bravia 3 II’s game mode was smooth as butter — which is impressive, considering its sub-$1,000 price. Like the more expensive Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II, the TV supports Auto HDR Tone Mapping with PlayStation 5, along with VRR and ALLM support. This lets you skip the HDR optimization and auto applies the best settings for the TV’s HDR gaming features.

Yet unlike the more expensive Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II, this TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning you can use up to four gaming consoles at 120Hz. For a gamer like me, that’s heaven. It is honestly very baffling to me why this TV has this many HDMI 2.1 ports and some of Sony's flagship TVs do not.

To test the gaming performance, I booted up Pragamata on our lab’s PlayStation 5. The game looked visually incredible, and played great. I experienced no lag in this game, where input timing is key. My quick inputs on the Triangle, Square, Circle buttons perfectly aligned with the hacking sequence needed to shoot enemy crusher robots in the Solar Power Plant sector.

Sony also includes the PS Remote Play app on the TV pre-installed. I have to admit, it was nice remoting into my own PS5 and playing a game like Gran Turismo 7 that we do not own on the lab’s console.

A dedicated Game Bar can also be summoned by pressing the “. . .” button on the remote when in the TV’s game mode. This gives you controls for VRR, Motion blur reduction, a Black equalizer, and the option to add a Crosshair. These are nice-to-have features at this TV’s price point.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Sound

For audio testing, I watched the music videos for Post Malone’s “Sunflower” as well as Shaboozy’s “Highway”. The Bravia 3 II sports "X-Balanced" speakers in a "Bass Reflex" enclosure. There's no subwoofers or surface drivers, so I would suggest pairing this TV with a soundbar if you plan to do anything beyond watching movies or TV shows.

On the first music video, I noticed how clear Post Malone’s vocals sounded. There was a lack of sub bass, but with the volume turned up to around 30%, I didn’t hear any distortion.

With Shaboozy’s music video, I heard the thump from his deeper voice, but the finer details from acoustic guitar was somewhat muted.

My recommendation? Check out our list of the best soundbars to pair this set’s impressive performance with a more formidable piece of audio equipment.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Smart TV and remote

We’ve reviewed almost a dozen TV this year with Google TV and the Bravia 3 II adds another tally to that list. Compared to what you'll have with a Roku TV or ad-ridden and privacy-last Vizio TV, Google TV is minimalist, clean and easy to use.

Everything you need is up front in a clean and easy to navigate experience, from settings, to inputs to TV shows and movies. The TV’s Google Gemini integration will have your back, too and will make finding what you’re looking for easy in a more human-friendly way.

Sony is recycling the remote from the Bravia 7 II on this year’s Bravia 3 II. It is a plastic remote, with a speckled design. It’s a bit big in the hands but still super comfortable to use.

There’s the usual suite of buttons for navigation, apps like Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, voice control, and settings and menu. The remote can also be found using the power button on the TV. You also can program your own app to the star button on the remote.

Sony Bravia 3 II review: Verdict

The Sony Bravia 3 II is a surprising TV. It brings Sony’s flagship-level image processing to a basic LED panel to help make your favorite TV shows and movies look great when the lights are on. It might not match Mini-LED or QLED TVs for brightness or black levels, but it’s still great for the everyday TV viewer.

The Bravia 3 II will be a solid purchase thanks to its gaming performance. It is great for gamers with its four HDMI 2.1 ports, its sleek Google TV interface, and a smart design. If you're buying a 65-inch TV primarily for daytime living-room viewing and gaming, this is the one for you.

If you want cheaper, sub-$500 options, the aforementioned Roku or Vizio models are good first ports of call, while the more-expensive Bravia 7 II will deliver better color and brightness. As a jack-of-all-trades, though, the Bravia 3 II is a good all-arounder.

If that sounds like a lot to take in, don't worry: I'm here to break it down for you. The XM4C announcement comes hot on the heels of Sony celebrating 10 years of the WH-1000X series. That's right: the first model, the MDR-1000X, came out in 2016. Along with that milestone, Sony says it is also celebrating 80 years of audio innovation.

So, what's new, what's changed (and hasn't), how much do they cost, and should you buy them? Let me walk you through it.

WH-1000XM4C: 'A modern classic'

When the Sony WH-1000XM4 came out in 2020, they were an instant hit, and Sony says that the headphones that redefined its cans have sold over 10 million units globally. It's no wonder they're back in the form of the WH-1000XM4C — and they sound like a hoot. While the overall design and active noise cancellation remain unchanged, Sony is introducing a new lavender color, which looks gorgeous.

So what's new? Upgraded sound tuning thanks to 40mm drivers and Bluetooth 6.0, for starters. The XM4C inherits the XM6's and the 1000X The Collexion's tuning to deliver a versatile sound that outperforms the original XM4. Vocals are now richer and clearer, and the XM4C are meant to boast superior frequency separation and an expansive soundstage, alongside improved dynamics.

They also include a 10-band equalizer, gaming EQ, and Quick Access, which lets you launch your preferred music streaming service with headband gestures.

The biggest upgrade is user-replaceable batteries, keeping in line with the new EU battery regulations. This comes at a cost, though: the XM4C's battery life is rated at 27 hours, down from 30 hours on the original XM4.

For those wondering where the XM4C sits relative to Sony's other headphones, here's the answer. According to Sony, the 1000X The Collexion are "Luxury"; the XM6 are "Performance"; and the XM4C are "Classic Standard." They're designed for everyday use without sacrificing sound quality.

The Sony WH-1000XM4C are available for $299 / ~£220.

WH-CH730N: Now with 75 hours of battery life

The Sony WH-CH720N came out in 2023, and they're already getting refreshed — and the new WH-CH730N packs some big upgrades. Like the XM4C, the design stays mostly the same, but the CH730N now has a foldable design for easy transport, plus a cushioned headband.

They also feature stronger ANC and improved AI-powered call quality. They also include a 10-band customizable equalizer, DSEE music upscaling, and support for Sony's 360° Reality Audio. The battery is, again, replaceable, but unlike the XM4C, battery life has received a substantial bump. It's now up to 75 hours, up from 50 hours on its predecessor. Charging the CH730N for three minutes also yields an hour of playtime.

The CH730N utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 with Bluetooth LE and Auracast. Another new feature is Max Volume Control, which you can use in the app to cap the maximum volume and protect your hearing. In addition to black, blue, pink, and white, the CH730N now comes in beige as well.

The Sony WH-CH730N is available for $179 / ~£120.

WH-CH530: The new budget king?

When we reviewed the Sony WH-CH520, we awarded them 4.5-stars and noted they were fantastic value for money. We expect the new WH-CH530 to be just as good, if not better.

Out of the three refreshed models, the CH530 has received the fewest upgrades, but substantial ones nonetheless. They now come in coral (off-red/orange) and cobalt, as well as mint, pink, off-white, and black.

Battery life has received a five-hour bump, and the CH530 is rated for 55 hours (up from 50 hours). Three minutes of charge yields 90 minutes of playtime, which is excellent. Similar to the CH730N, the CH530 also gets Max Volume Control, Bluetooth LE audio, replaceable batteries, and AI noise reduction for calls.

The Sony WH-CH530 is available for $69 / ~£60.

Which headphones are you most excited for?

As someone who reviews the best headphones day in and day out and spends a lot of her time listening to music, it goes without saying that I'm very excited to try Sony's new cans. The XM4C, CH730N, and CH530 introduce notable quality-of-life improvements, including replaceable batteries and better sound tuning.

It remains to be seen whether these headphones impress me and my fellow reviewers, so we can't wait to get our hands on them. Personally, I'm most excited to check out the XM4C, especially in the lavender skin. Who knows, maybe they'll replace my trusty Marshall Monitor III? Stay tuned for full reviews!

More from Tom's Guide

• I listened to 10 of Sony’s new ULT party speakers together — and they offer something for everyone
• Sony WH-1000XM6 3 months later: here's my honest verdict on how Sony's flagship cans hold up
• I tested Sony’s $650 fashion headphones — the 1000X 'The Collexion' are more than just pretty

Best Buy currently has tons of deals available on cameras. To save you the trouble of browsing through the hundreds of offers available, I've pulled out 12 of the best camera deals on the site, from huge brands like Nikon, Canon, and Sony.

As we always like to remind you, deals don't last forever, so if there's something that you have your eye on here make sure to grab it while it's still available.

PlayStation State of Play for September 2026 is over. We got two showcases for the price of one, with a regular State of Play followed by a State of Play Japan.

The highlights included an extended look at Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, release dates for Until Dawn 2 and Metro 2039, and new games confirmed like Maneater 2. Plus, State of Play Japan brought with it tons of RPG fun!

If you missed the showcase, you can find all the announcements and every new trailer below. Or you can even rewatch the entire State of Play on demand. Here are all the games at the State of Play September 2026...

How to (re)watch State of Play for September 2026

If you missed State of Play September 2026, or wish to relive it, you can watch the entire presentation from start to finish via the embedded YouTube link above. Warning: it's a chunky presentation, so you'll need to set aside almost two hours. After all, it was technically two State of Plays!

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The second generation features a new design philosophy and more sophisticated reactive lighting, a new ULT button on the front of each speaker (for changing EQ presets), 360° sound, and better, more powerful drivers. Battery life has been improved across all three speakers, too, as has durability and portability.

I love testing party speakers because I love headbanging to my favorite tunes. Could the ULT Towers make me love them more than I adore the Marshall Bromley 750 and the Marshall Bromley 450? While I haven't had time to do full reviews of the new speakers, I've spent just under an hour listening to them at a pre-launch event. In fact, I listened to 10 of them together. My first impressions? Quite positive, so allow me to share with you what I think of the Tower 5, Tower 7 and Tower Max.

Meet the ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5

The Sony ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 are bass-first party speakers that, according to Sony, deliver the most powerful bass yet in the brand's ULT Power Sound series. All three speakers are designed for music lovers, and they combine deep bass, high sound pressure, and party features for an unforgettable experience.

Regardless of the speaker you buy, you'll be getting XLR, RCA, USB-C and USB-A connectivity for hooking up mics for karaoke, DJ mixers, as well as instruments — making the ULT Towers perfect for nearly every occasion. Each speaker is also fitted with four handles and wheels for easy transport... though you may still need another pair of hands to help with the gargantuan Max.

The Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 are IPX4-rated so they're splash-proof. I'm surprised that they aren't more water-resistant, like the IP54-rated Marshall Bromley 750. That will limit the speakers' use outdoors — but really, you shouldn't be using electronic devices in the pouring rain anyway.

Sony has worked with four acclaimed (and Grammy-nominated) hip-hop sound creators — Dot Da Genius, Daru Jones, DJ Dready, and Dennis "ROC.am" Jones — to fine-tune the ULT Towers' driver setup and sound profile. As a result, the speakers deliver distortion-free sound across the volume scale.

The Tower Max packs three 280mm woofers, two mid-range drivers, and four tweeters, so you're getting a lot of power. The Tower 7 is fitted with a single 280mm woofer, two mid-range drivers, and four tweeters, too. Lastly, the Tower 5 features a 230mm woofer, two mid-range drivers, and two tweeters. That's a lot for the lineup's smallest speaker!

You also get a customizable 10-band equalizer with all three speakers, and the new ULT button on the front grille now lets you swap between EQ presets. These include ULT1 (deep bass, low frequency sound), ULT2 (rumbling bass), Flat (true-to-source), and Live (spacious).

There's really no dearth of features, which is excellent. And the ULT Towers sound like great value for money, too, as they aren't that expensive. I was personally quite surprised when the Sony representatives shared the retail prices with me. The Tower Max is the most expensive of the lot, at $1,499 / ~ £1,300; the Tower 7 is the mid-range option, at $649 / ~ £600; and the Tower 5 is the cheapest option, at $449 / ~ £400.

So, what do they sound like?

Driver sizes and specifications are all for naught if the speakers don't sound great — and in my short time with the Sony ULT Towers, I thought they sounded fantastic. At the pre-launch event, the Sony representatives played songs from different genres to show what the Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 were capable of.

Regardless of the song they played, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. All three speakers sounded beautiful. The bass sounded rich and meaty with plenty of low-end impact, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ULT2 EQ preset which made me feel the bass in my chest, temples and deep within my soul.

The Sony representatives played a song by Dua Lipa, too, and though I'm personally not a huge fan of hers, I couldn't help but tap my feet and bob my head along to the tune. I believe that's a true sign of a competent party speaker. If it can make you dance to artists you don't care for, it's done its job.

I also listened to two Tower 7s together in stereo mode with left and right channels. When 'Money' by Pink Floyd started playing and the sound of cash registers and coins traveled between the speakers, I was left extremely impressed. The high-pitched coins didn't sound like they were piercing through the soundstage. The treble sounded shiny and vibrant but not overzealous or fatiguing.

Finally, I listened to an electronic track on 10 ULT Towers all at once. It's not everyday you get to do something like that — how many of us have such extravagant setups in our basements, eh? The wall of speakers sounded phenomenal. The room-shaking bass made me feel like I was at a gig or a music festival.

Looking ahead...

So, Sony's latest generation of party speakers sounds excellent — on paper and in real-world use. The Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 offer something for everyone, and given how affordable they are (especially the Tower 5), they offer bang for your buck. That's based on my first impressions, of course, and it's subject to change when I do my in-depth testing.

Speaking of, I'm really looking forward to putting the Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 through their paces. Do these party speakers sound like they'd be up your street? Let me know in the comments below!

The Sony ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 will be available to buy from Amazon U.S. and U.K., Best Buy, or directly from Sony.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750 party speakers — and the winner surprised me
• There's no better party speaker on the planet than the brand-new Marshall Bromley 450
• As a guitarist and an audiophile, this is the all-in-one speaker I’ve been waiting for

It's Sony's take on free ad-supported television like Tubi, Pluto TV and the Roku Channel, bringing fan-favorite TV shows like "Community" and "The Walking Dead" alongside sports programming from NFL Channel, UFC, and other staples, news, weather, long-running anime series from Crunchyroll, and more to the gaming console you already use.

(Btw if you're looking to snag a PS5 Pro to play GTA 6 on, check out our live blog on all the latest PS5 Pro restocks.)

To watch these new free channels (you can find a full list below) now, just go to the Media tab on the console's home screen, select the Live TV on PS5 icon, and sign in to your PlayStation Account. Easy as that! Live TV on PS5 is currently available in the U.S. to start, and Sony plans to roll it out to Canada and other regions in due time.

Sony said the service will evolve over time, but at launch, here's all the free programming you can watch now:

All the new live TV channels on PS5

• Movies – Free movies across action, horror, sci-fi and more, with channels including MovieSphere by Lionsgate, 50 Cent Action, FilmRise Free Movies, Sony One Horror Hits and Cinevault.
• TV Shows – Fan-favorite programming including Community, The Shield, Hell’s Kitchen, The Walking Dead, Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries, Deal or No Deal USA and Fear Factor, plus Ice Road Truckers from A+E’s HISTORY.
• Anime – Anime favorites including Naruto, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, Death Note and more, including exclusive channels Black Clover and Box Sets channels from Crunchyroll.
• Sports – Sports programming from FOX Sports, NASCAR, NBC Sports Now, UFC and more spanning MMA, football, hockey, motorsports, golf, boxing and soccer
• News & Weather – National, local and international coverage including NBC News Now, Fox Weather, and LiveNOW from FOX
• Creator & Specialty Programming – Programming featuring Hot Ones, Spotify’s The Ringer, Futcrunch, Idle Mode, comedy, action sports, gaming, esports and other creator-led content.
• Additional Programming – Discover gaming and esports, creator-led entertainment, documentaries, podcasts and other specialty programming, including eCLUTCH (exclusive) and more.

It's the same FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels that have been available for years on free streaming services like Tubi and Pluto TV, now just all in one convenient location on your PS5. Both live and on-demand content will be available at launch, and there's no paid subscription, hidden fees, or downloads required.

I'm always happy to see more free streaming options arrive on the scene since the days of streaming as a cheaper alternative to cable are long gone. Of the PS5's selling points, Live TV channels are barely a footnote, but it's a handy addition for those who already own a console and want to have access to live news, the latest seasons of their favorite TV shows, and sports all in one place. So who else is gonna join me in watching the 50 Cent Action channel on PS5 tonight?

More from Tom's Guide

• The best live TV streaming services in 2026: Cable TV alternatives that save you money
• I watched hours of Tubi and Pluto TV to see which free streaming service has more ads — and one has twice as many
• 3 free shows on the Roku Channel with a lot of seasons — including a Nathan Fillion mystery drama

As typical with the Theater Bar line, you can get the 7 with or without the subwoofer. I tested the model with the subwoofer. If you want a Sony Bravia experience for less than $1,099, you could check out the $349 Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5, but this isn’t compatible with Sony’s wireless subs.

With crystal-clear dialogue, powerful bass, and impressive surround sound, could the Bravia Theater Bar 7 be one of the best soundbars of 2026? You bet. For the full story, keep reading this Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Specs

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Price & availability

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 + Sub is $1,099 from Amazon U.S. Without the sub, you’re looking at $869 from Amazon U.S. I tested the subwoofer version, so that’s the model I’ll be discussing today.

In the U.K, the soundbar alone is £699 from Amazon U.K. You can’t buy the soundbar and subwoofer in one bundle in the U.K., but the overall price would be £948 — the sub is £249.

If you change your mind post-purchase and decide you want the subwoofer, you can buy it for $329/£249 at Amazon. This subwoofer is compatible with: Bravia Theater 7, 8, and 9, as well as the Bravia Theater Trio and Quad, and the HT-A7000, HT-A5000, HT-A3000, and STR-AN1000 amps. Theoretically, you could get the Bravia Bar 7 and use the Subwoofer 9 ($898). Sony also offers the Theater Bar 5, 6, 8, and 9, which range from $349 to $1,498.

In comparison, this is a pretty average soundbar price. It’s not particularly good value or poor value. You can get the Samsung QS90H, an all-in-one soundbar (yes, including a built-in sub that’s actually powerful), for $999, or the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar for $1,099.

If you want something a little cheaper but still good, I’d recommend the $449 Polk Audio Signa S4 or the $699 Samsung Q600F.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Design

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 is relatively compact, making it ideal for TVs 55 inches and under. I tested it with a 55-inch LG G6, and it looked divine. Like most high-end soundbars, the Theater Bar 7 is effectively a long rectangle covered in a fine dark gray mesh. There’s no logo on the front, only a soft white light on the bottom right. No, you can’t tell it’s an expensive Sony soundbar from one glance, but you don’t buy a soundbar for the branding. You buy it for the sound.

Thankfully, as you’ll soon discover, it sounds great.

Controls

In terms of controls, there’s a physical remote with a few basic commands. You can increase or decrease volume, turn it on and off, and toggle night, sound field, and voice modes. Of course, you can also control inputs.

This is effectively the same as the phone app, but the phone app, of course, has more advanced settings, which I’ll get into soon.

Features

Like Samsung soundbars, most of the Theater Bar 7’s USPs reside within compatible Bravia TVs. Unfortunately, I had to test with an LG G6 (boo-hoo me, I got to use one of the best TVs of 2026, right?)

As any soundbar worth its salt should have, the Theater Bar 7 has a night mode and voice mode. Night mode reduces bass so you can watch blockbusters at 3am without receiving a noise complaint from your neighbors, while voice mode accentuates dialogue without making it sound unnatural.

There’s also a sound field mode. This effectively widens and raises the sound, which majorly improved my overall experience while watching movies.

The Bravia Connect app has a litany of advanced features, which I’ll dive into now.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: App

The Theater Bar 7 uses Sony’s Bravia Connect app. While the app looks incredibly basic, almost bordering on careless, it boasts a range of advanced features.

As you can see, there’s a room calibration setting, much like on the JBL Bar 1300X MK2 and the Samsung QS90H. This sends out a pulse of sound and calibrates the audio based on your watching space.

You can also adjust the sound field height. I set mine to the max, which benefited the flying scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick” massively.

Of course, you can also play music directly through Spotify or Qobuz Connect. You can also turn on DSEE Ultimate, an AI-assisted upscaler. If you’re an audio nerd, there’s no shortage of fun things to play with in Bravia Connect.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Sound quality

I test every soundbar in the same room, with “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K Blu-ray, various other Blu-rays, TV on basic Netflix, and music.

Movies

As always, I started with “Top Gun: Maverick”. I customized the sound field height to max, upped the bass to 10, and turned on sound field and voice mode. The soundbar balanced in-scene sounds like jet engines with the soundtrack well.

However, some, but not all, high-frequency sounds were lost in the bass-heavy “Danger Zone” soundtrack. Despite this, louder details like whooshing steam and engine takeoff sounds were clear. Only the softer whipping of ropes melted into the background.

Even so, the bass on “Danger Zone” was excellent, and the vocals sauntered across the soundstage with unbelievable clarity.

In the first dog-fighting scene, I could feel the planes flying overhead and around me. The screeching jet engines rumbled through the soundbar without overpowering the soundtrack, which flitted underneath the fighter jets with grace. Even the radioed dialogue was perfectly audible.

Throughout the movie, I never struggled to hear dialogue, even in flying scenes. Every word was perfectly clear. Every note in the piano-led soundtrack twinkled across the soundscape like a beacon. Ocean waves and whistling wind sound effects were woven underneath dialogue beautifully. This was a fantastic viewing experience — just like the movie theater.

Next, I watched “Michael”. I needed to evaluate how the soundbar handled both dialogue and in-movie music beyond the soundtrack. Again, dialogue was crystal clear; perhaps this is TMI for some, but I could even make out the sound of saliva in the actors’ mouths.

The soundbar handled this movie excellently. Every performance was rich and immersive, with powerful yet controlled bass and exceptional clarity across the guitars, percussion, and vocals. Switching back to quiet, introspective scenes felt natural.

Finally, I watched “Oppenheimer”. The sound effects during the space dust clips (I’m not sure how else to describe them) glimmered and glitched in a way that made me feel like I was floating in the aether. The string-heavy soundtrack took control of the scenes and held tight, making me feel like I was also a physicist spinning out of control.

The softer detail sound effects like chirping birds and quacking ducks, as well as the crinkling of fabrics brushing together, also came through strongly.

TV

To test TV performance, I watched “Interview with the Vampire” on basic Netflix, as you’re not always going to be watching 4K Blu-rays.

Even on basic Netflix, I could still hear soft in-scene sounds like the fluttering of wings or the subtle intake of breath. Dialogue, again, was clear and never overpowered the soundtrack. Action scenes, such as when Lestat transfixes his human prey in the speakeasy, were clear.

Diegetic (in-scene) sound effects like chirping crickets and crackling fires were audible over dialogue, no matter how softly spoken.

Overall, this performance was excellent. I really have no issues with this soundbar at all, except the slight muffling of high-frequency details in “Top Gun: Maverick”.

Music

Music performance is okay. It’s neither the worst soundbar I’ve ever heard or the best — the best is still the Bose Smart Soundbar (2024). Vocals had a tendency to feel quite pinchy, and bass was strangely lackluster. But, I digress — soundbars aren’t made to play music. They’re designed to be the center of your home cinema.

I listened to “Knocking at the Sky” by The Last Dinner Party. While the soft “la la” notes right at the end sounded great, the bombastic chorus was muddled and the vocals pinched in my ears. There was a disappointing amount of tinniness in the percussion, too.

Electronic music fared a little better. “If you wanna party, come over to my house (Eli Escobar remix)” by Fcukers was clearer and didn’t hurt my ears. The pulsing synth and warbling synth details were both full-bodied and confident, but the bass synth fell flat for me. There just wasn’t any intensity, likely due to the lack of bass.

Lastly, I switched to something heavier: “Red40” by Die Spitz. This guitar-led metal-punk-indie track is usually propulsive and insistent, but the vocals were squashed into the guitars and the kick drum didn’t carry any weight.

I was disappointed by this music performance because of how utterly excellent the movie and TV experience was, but you can’t win them all, and this is a soundbar — not a speaker.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Verdict

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 is a fantastic soundbar. With the subwoofer, you get powerful, controlled, and immersive bass, and the soundbar itself has a knack for delivering crystal-clear dialogue balanced perfectly over top of a dramatic OST. In terms of movie and TV performance, I really have nothing bad to say. Other than the tiny suppression of some high-frequency sounds in “Top Gun: Maverick”, the Bar 7 gets applause all round from me.

Sure, the app could look a little nicer — it’s nothing compared to the aesthetic of SmartThings — but are you going to be spending that much time simply looking at it? It works well and is reliable, with zero connectivity issues, and for me, that’s enough.

Whether you buy the subwoofer or not, I’m sure you’ll be incredibly pleased with the Theater Bar 7. It’s reliable, powerful, and immersive. For me, that’s all I want from a soundbar.

Handling the RX10 V is a joy, and its long-reaching 24-600mm (full frame equivalent) lens lets you get up, close and personal with your subjects. Thanks to 30fps blackout-free drive and excellent autofocus, this is a solid camera for amateur wildlife and sports photographers. The 20.1MP images boast beautiful color reproduction, too.

Though not without its flaws, there aren’t many reasons to not buy this camera. To find out if this is the best camera for you, read my full Sony RX10 V review.

Sony RX10 V review: Specs

Sony RX10 V review: Price & availability

The Sony RX10 V has been nearly a decade in the making, and it succeeds the RX10 IV which first came out in 2017. The RX10 V is a bridge camera that literally bridges the gap between basic point-and-shoot compacts and full frame cameras, and it borrows features from Sony’s Alpha lineup (more on that shortly). It retails for $2,298 at Adorama U.S. / £2,199 at London Camera Exchange U.K.

It’s pricier than the Nikon Coolpix P1100 ($1,146) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000/FZ2500 ($1,049) but it’s worth the extra spend if you want 30fps blackout-free burst shooting, fantastic autofocus, 4K/60fps video, and long battery life.

Spending nearly $3,000 on a camera may sound like a lot. But given that the camera features a built-in 24-600mm (full frame equivalent) lens, it negates the need to drop nearly a grand or more on a lens. This softens the blows a bit — especially because a telephoto lens on its own can set you back serious money. For context, a Sony 400-800mm lens costs over $3,000, while Canon’s RF1200mm lens costs well over $22,000.

Sony RX10 V review: Design

Bridge cameras offer the convenience of point-and-shoot compacts and stuff it into DSLR-esque bodies. It’s no surprise, then, that the Sony RX10 V is slightly bulky, measuring 5.37 x 3.72 x 5.96 inches and weighing 2.7lbs (with battery and cards). It’s certainly bigger than my trusty mirrorless Fujifilm X-T50 ($1,399) but even so, it’s more compact and lighter than the Nikon Coolpix P1100.

Unlike the Nikon Coolpix P1100, the RX10 V doesn’t feel as unwieldy to handle, thanks to its spacious protruding grip, which is deep and provides plenty of space for your fingers to wrap around it. Compared to the RX10 IV, the fifth-gen model offers better ergonomics, from its deeper grip to its more prominent command dials. The RX10 V feels like a modern Alpha camera, like the Sony A7 V ($2,899). Build quality feels solid, too, and I’d expect nothing less from Sony.

Viewfinder

The RX10 V’s viewfinder has been upgraded. While its predecessor featured a 0.39-inch XGA OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 0.7x magnification, the RX10 V packs a 0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED EVF with 0.78x magnification — similar to the one on the flagship Sony A1 II ($6,499).

The resolution has received a bump, too, from 2.35 million dots on the RX10 IV to 3.68 million dots on the RX10 V. You now get a sharp, detailed, life-like representation of the scene you’re capturing. This helps you accurately frame and capture your subject. The RX10 V’s EVF resolution is similar to the Sony A7 V’s (3.69M dots), the Canon EOS R6 Mark III’s (3.69M dots, $2,799) and the Panasonic Lumix G9II’s (3.68M dots, $1,899), though it’s slightly less than the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s (2.36M dots).

I’ve found the RX10 V’s viewfinder extremely comfortable to look through, even through my prescription glasses. I also love that its refresh rate can be set to either 60Hz or 120Hz — the same as on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and the much pricier Canon EOS R5 Mark II ($4,299). 120Hz refresh rate ensures that the subjects you’re tracking remain free of motion blur, and the RX10 V delivers smooth and realistic motion, making it great for fast-paced sports and wildlife photography.

The RX10 V borrows another feature from the Sony A7 V, and that’s 30fps blackout-free burst shooting. This means that there are no black screens between shots, enabling you to keep a constant view of your subject as you shoot. This is something we’ve also seen on other wildlife-oriented cameras, like the OM System OM-1 Mark II ($2,399), and the RX10 V wins brownie points over the Canon EOS R6 Mark III here which doesn’t feature blackout-free sequential shooting.

Monitor

The RX10 V’s rear monitor has received a modest upgrade, too. While the screen size remains the same — 3-inch on both the RX10 IV and the RX10 V — the touchscreen now has a resolution of 1.6 million dots. The 3:2 aspect ratio also matches the camera’s sensor now, as opposed to the 4:3 aspect ratio on the RX10 V’s predecessor.

I’ve found the RX10 V’s monitor highly responsive in my testing, and I’ve had no trouble viewing it in different lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. It’s also much brighter than the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s 921K-dot monitor. The RX10 V’s screen can tilt up and down but it can’t hinge or tilt sideways, like the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s can, though, which limits the extent of shooting at awkward, low-to-the-ground or overhead angles.

Ports

All the ports are located on the RX10 V’s left edge and are protected by plastic flaps. You get a USB-C port for charging and data transfer; a legacy USB Micro-B port for accessories; a micro HDMI port; and dual 3.5mm ports for mic in and headphones out. The memory card slot is located next to the battery pack on the bottom plate.The RX10 V is compatible with a single SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I/II card.

Weather-sealing

Unlike the Nikon Coolpix P1100, the RX10 V is fully weather-sealed and protected against moisture and dust. This gives you more confidence when shooting outdoors and in changeable weather conditions.

The RX10 V’s weather-sealing comes at a cost, though — but not a huge one. There’s no built-in flash, like on previous iterations of the line, but a small pop-up flash is rarely powerful enough to light up distant subjects (perhaps macro subjects, yes), so it’s not something you’ll necessarily miss.

Sony RX10 V review: Controls

The Sony RX10 V is a delight to use, thanks to its well-placed and large buttons and dials. On the RX10 IV, an LCD screen took up a fair bit of space on the top plate, but this has been replaced by a prominent command dial that lets you swap between shooting modes as well as stills, video, and slow-and-quick (S&Q) video. You now get additional dials for shutter speed and ISO, too.

I like that the dual custom (C1 and C2) buttons have been moved up and are now located next to the shutter button. This makes accessing them much easier, and it makes shooting feel more intuitive. Sony has also added a physical focus joystick, similar to the one on its latest Alpha models, on the rear panel — something that was absent on the RX10 IV. The navigation wheel is bigger, too, and again, feels like it’s been borrowed from the A7 V or the A1 II.

These quality of life improvements result not only in better ergonomics, but also in a more well-rounded user experience. My only complaint is that the RX10 V’s three dials are only accessible by your right thumb, and I would have much preferred having a front dial for adjusting, say, shutter speed. Maybe sixth time’s the charm, eh, Sony?

A decade is a long time, and it isn’t surprising that the RX10 IV’s menu system has been overhauled to deliver a more user-friendly experience on the RX 10 V. Instead of being text-heavy, the RX10 V’s menu system is color-coded, feels more logical and less cluttered, and it’s clearly been modeled after recent Alpha cameras.

Sony RX10 V review: Autofocus

The Sony RX10 V features an advanced hybrid autofocus system which uses a combination of phase- and contrast-detection AF, driven by the BIONZ XR processor. It inherits the Sony A7 V’s AI chip with real-time subject detection autofocus, and the Sony A1 II’s Auto Subject Detection which automatically swaps between human, bird/animal, insect, and vehicle detection modes.

Regardless of the subject I was photographing, the RX10 V didn’t let me down. As you can see in the gallery above, the camera was quick to find and lock on to birds, humans, and insects. When I was photographing birds and insects at a lake, I appreciated the camera’s Auto Subject Detection, and I found it very reliable. I was able to get the shots I needed as I didn’t have to waste time swapping between subjects manually.

The photos above aren’t my finest work, but I wanted to use these two photos to demonstrate how well the RX10 V’s autofocus works. Both the squirrel and bird were obscured by leaves, and because of very bright sunlight, I couldn’t focus on them with my own eyes — so I pointed my camera right overhead and the RX10 V immediately locked on to them. That’s how smart the camera’s AF system is.

I also appreciated the RX10 V locking on to and tracking the black-headed gull as I fired off a burst. The autofocus didn’t break at all, even as the gull landed on the water, surrounded by other birds. As you can see in the gallery above, it’s still in focus in the last two shots.

Sony RX10 V review: Stabilization

The RX10 V utilizes Sony’s SteadyShot optical image stabilization which is also found in the Sony ZV-E10 II ($999) and the Sony RX1R III ($5,099), and it incurs a crop. The lack of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) means you can’t shoot at super slow shutter speeds, but it should just about suffice when shooting handheld.

In my testing, I was able to shoot handheld at shutter speeds as slow as 1/3s (first image above) but any slower than that, like 1/2s (second image above), and the resulting image was blurry, impacted by camera shake. This is still good, though!

Sony RX10 V review: Image quality

The Sony RX10 V packs a small 1-inch Stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with a 20.1MP resolution. Though small, its sensor is still bigger than the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s 1/2.3-inch 16MP one. You can’t make extreme crops as you can on, say, the 33MP full frame Sony A7 V, but given that you get a 24-600mm effective focal length, you can still capture detailed images of distant subjects.

Before we dive into image quality, let’s talk about the RX10 V’s reach. The RX10 V is fitted with a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-600mm lens, and this full frame equivalent focal length is achieved through its 25x optical zoom. In the gallery above, the first shot was taken at 600mm while the second at 24mm, and both images pack a lot of detail.

In addition to the optical zoom, you also get a 4x digital zoom. Once the camera has reached 600mm, it applies a 4x digital zoom and starts cropping to achieve 1200mm. Naturally, this detrimentally impacts image quality as you're cropping into an already modest 20.1MP and losing resolution. The first image of the cormorants above was taken with the 4x digital zoom, while the second was taken with the 25x optical zoom, and the third is the fully zoomed out original. As you can see in the first slide, there is a drop in resolution and detail. I’d recommend sticking with the 25x optical zoom to get the best images.

Cropping after the fact in post-production yields similar results. The first shot in the gallery above is an extreme crop of the second photo, and once again, there's a drop in the quality. If you want a camera that allows for extreme cropping, you’ll have to splurge on the likes of the Sony A7 V or the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s finally talk about image quality — you can see sample shots in the gallery above. Color reproduction is stunning and accurate. The different shades and hues look beautiful, and I like that none of them look oversaturated or high on contrast. Even the neon-green algae looks vibrant but not overly bright.

The RX10 V also packs 12 of Sony’s Creative Looks, which are in-camera filters or presets, similar to those you’ll find on Canon or Fujifilm cameras. These include but aren’t limited to Portrait, Film, Soft Highkey, and others. The images of the swans above were shot using the Black & White Creative Look, and I think they look gorgeous. I love how dramatic it makes the swans look, and the camera has also done a good job of capturing the fine details, such as the water droplets on the first swan’s head, and the tiny feathers on the last bird’s beak.

For the above photos of the kingfisher, I opted for the Vivid Creative Look which boosts contrast, saturation and vibrancy. The resulting images appear punchy, fitting for such a colorful bird. You can also customize each Creative Look’s parameters, like the contrast, highlights, and shadows, giving you more flexibility.

High-speed drive

30fps blackout-free sequential shooting via its electronic shutter is one of the RX10 V’s headline specs, and it’s seriously impressive. It can capture 546 JPEGs, 141 RAW and JPEGs, or 162 lossless RAW files when using the 10fps mechanical shutter. Having 30fps drive at your disposal means you can capture every single moment of action, making the RX10 V a solid choice for wildlife and sports. In comparison, the Nikon Coolpix P1100 has a measly 7fps drive.

The electronic shutter has a speed of 30s to 1/16,000s, and I bumped the speed up to 1/8,000s to capture the sequence of the coot flying towards the other. The mechanical shutter, on the other hand, tops out at 1/2,000s, so I’d recommend using the electronic shutter when you can to get blur-free images.

Thanks to 30fps blackout-free burst and incredible autofocus that didn’t lose track of the tiny bird even once, I was able to capture the images (above) of the kingfisher taking off. The only downside to the RX10 V’s high-speed drive is that the camera doesn’t feature pre-burst capture, so it doesn’t start recording the frames when the shutter button is half-pressed. Again, you’ll need to get the Sony A7 V, the Canon EOS R6 Mark III or the OM System OM-1 Mark II if you want that.

ISO performance

The RX10 V doesn’t have as massive an ISO range as the one offered by the Sony A7 V — but it’s double the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s. The RX10 V has a base ISO of 64 and it tops out at 12,800. Given the camera’s small 1-inch sensor, high ISO performance isn’t anything to write home about.

The results were as expected at ISO6,400, so I bumped the ISO up to 8,000. The first image in the gallery above is a JPEG export of the ARW file, while the second is the straight-out-of-camera (SOOC) JPEG. While the in-camera noise reduction algorithms have done well to reduce the grain in the SOOC JPEG, the image has lost some sharpness around the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2’s corners and edges, and the blue photobook looks too soft.

I then shot at ISO12,800. The first image (JPEG export of ARW file) has been ruined by noise, and the second shot (SOOC JPEG) isn’t that much better. You can see a lot of grain in the photobook as well as the speaker. The detail in the speaker’s grille has been lost, and the image appears flat. I wouldn’t recommend shooting at such high ISO unless and until it’s your last resort.

This is part and parcel of having a small sensor, but the RX10 V still performs better than the Nikon Coolpix P1100, whose 1/2.3-inch sensor produces extremely noisy images at just ISO6,400.

Dynamic range

The RX10 V offers up to 9+ stops of dynamic range, and it features a D-Range Optimizer (DRO) mode which offers eight varying levels of balancing bright highlights and dark shadows.

The two images in the gallery above are the same shot, taken at DRO-6. The first image is the unedited RAW file. I boosted the shadows and reduced the highlights, which resulted in the second shot. Boosting the shadows has revealed a surprising amount of detail in the dark areas, such as the bushes in the distance. The shadows are fairly noise-free too, which is impressive.

The backlit photo of the kingfisher above, on the other hand, was shot with DRO disabled. I edited the shot in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and as you can see in the second slide, the camera has done a decent job of maintaining highlight detail while exposing for the bird’s comparatively dim unlit body. There’s some noticeable noise in the image, though, especially in the background (have a look at the bottom-left corner).

Sony RX10 V review: Video

The Sony RX10 V is a competent hybrid camera, capable of recording 4K or FHD video at 60fps, and slow-mo 4K video at 120fps — the Nikon Coolpix P1100 can shoot 4K video at 30fps only. You can see a compilation of clips filmed at 4K/60fps above. I think the video looks great. Movement is fluid and smooth, while all the subjects remain in focus. The clips are fairly stable and not too shaky given that I was shooting handheld.

Similar to Sony’s vlogging cameras, you also get S-Log3 which captures a wide dynamic range, making it easier to color grade in post-production. If you want straight-out-of-camera slow-mo video, the camera’s slow-and-quick (S&Q) mode captures already slowed video (without any audio) which can be shared instantly without any need for editing in post.

Sony RX10 V review: Battery life

Unlike the NP-FW50 battery pack used by the Sony RX10 IV, the Sony RX10 V utilizes the NP-FZ100 battery pack. It’s the same battery used by the likes of the Sony A1 II and the Sony A7 V. Thanks to the NP-FZ100 battery, the RX10 V now lasts longer than the RX10 IV. It’s CIPA-rated for 630 shots (versus 400) when using the monitor or 570 shots (versus 370) with the EVF.

CIPA testing is conducted under strict conditions and the ratings are usually conservative. More often than not, your camera will last you longer in the field. In my testing, I was able to get over 3,000 shots, which included a mix of burst sequences and RAW images, and I walked away with just under 50% battery. Take this with a pinch of salt, though, as your mileage will vary depending on your settings and shooting conditions.

The RX10 V lasts much longer than the Nikon Coolpix P1100 which is CIPA-rated for just 260 shots, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000/FZ2500 which yields 270 shots on a single charge. The RX10 V also upstages mirrorless beasts, like the Sony A1 II (520 shots) and the Canon EOS R6 Mark III (620 shots).

Sony RX10 V review: Verdict

If you want a powerful bridge camera that feels like a mirrorless camera, I can’t recommend the Sony RX10 V enough. It packs a long-reaching lens with a 25x optical zoom, letting you get close-up shots of far-away birds. The RX10 V feels sublime to use and handle, thanks to improved ergonomics and controls. It’s got long battery life to boot, too.

What makes the RX10 V worth the premium is its fantastic and accurate autofocus, as well as 30fps blackout-free high-speed drive. Combined, both of these features make the RX10 V a formidable camera for sports and wildlife photography — or videography, as the camera is capable of recording 4K/60fps video.

While the camera doesn’t feature the best high ISO performance, given its small 1-inch sensor that can’t take on full frame beasts, this small complaint is overshadowed by everything else on offer. The RX10 V blurs the line between bridge and Sony’s Alpha lineup to deliver one of the best cameras of 2026.

There’s just one problem: OLED TVs don’t come cheap. Even entry-level OLEDs tend to be priced higher than mid-range Mini-LED TVs, and the best OLED TVs are often more expensive than some brands’ best LCD-based sets.

But there are signs that the status quo could be changing. This year, LG Display is manufacturing cheaper OLED panels for LG and its competitors, and it’s happening at a time where the top OLED-maker is also reportedly developing an even-cheaper panel for the next generation of OLED TVs. Here’s how these advancements could usher in an era of cheap OLEDs.

LG Display’s quest to make OLED cheaper, more efficient and longer lasting

There are two exciting developments in the realm of affordable OLED technology playing out as we speak. The first spin on OLED technology is already available to buy and it's called OLED SE.

Announced back in March by LG Display, OLED SE sits below OLED EX, the latter of which is the panel-type associated with the mid-range LG C6. OLED EX, however, sits below OLED META, the panel-type associated with the flagship-level LG G6. This makes the OLED SE one of the most affordable panel options for any brand looking to sell an OLED TV.

There’s been speculation among industry insiders that the all-new LG B6E OLED — one of LG’s most-affordable OLED TVs this year — is built around LG Display’s OLED SE panel. We’ve yet to take this model for a test spin in our lab, but there’s no denying its relatively friendly price tag of just $899 for a 55-inch model.

Earlier this year, rumors began circulating that a new Sony OLED could be on the horizon — a more-affordable set that could compete with entry-level and mid-range OLEDs from Samsung and Sony. At the time, I floated the possibility that this TV could very well leverage LG Display’s OLED SE panel, too.

Even if we assume that OLED SE panels are present in TVs like the LG B6E (and in entry-level OLEDs from LG’s competitors), $899 for an entry-level model isn’t exactly cheap. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like LG Display’s work is done.

What is two-stack OLED?

According to Korean newspaper ETNews (as reported by FlatpanelsHD), LG Display is reportedly developing an all-new, “two-stack” WOLED panel for use in TVs and monitors. The design is built around a simplified structure that relies on just two emission layers, while previous WOLED-based designs (like the one found on the LG C6) rely on three layers.

LG Display claims that the new two-stack structure is capable of covering about 82.5% of BT.2020.

If true, that would be an impressive step up from what we've measured on the three-stack OLED panels we've tested, which tend to settle in the 75% to 77% range.

While there's no guarantee that future OLED TVs built around this new, two-stack structure will ultimately be cheaper than what we're used to seeing within the entry-level and mid-range class, it's likely a net-positive for the market (and shoppers) for the manufacturing of OLED technology to get more efficient in the long run.

Cheaper OLEDs in 2027 and beyond

The development of new OLED technology won't immediately crash the price of OLED TVs around the world. But new, more-cost-effective ways of manufacturing this infamously finnicky display tech is essential to its long-term viability.

Whether we're talking OLED SE, "two-stack" WOLED or something not yet fully realized, these developments are all stops on the road to OLED TVs' becoming less of a luxury for the average person.

Shared adoption of these new panel types from brands like Samsung, Sony and others is key, too, because the more options people have when buying a new TV, the better (and cheaper) those options are likely to become. Additionally, if LG Display is successful in these endeavors, it could entice TV brands that haven't previously developed OLED TVs to finally take the plunge.

In 2027 and beyond, OLED TVs could see even cheaper pricing, provided these advancements aren't offset by additional supply-chain shortages.

It's possible that the next major OLED frontier won't be about making these TVs bigger and brighter, but rather, leaner and cheaper.

More from Tom's Guide

• RGB LED vs Tandem OLED TVs: We’ve tested both and here are the differences
• We just graded every TV brand on price, performance and more — here’s how their report cards stack up
• TCL and Sony are joining forces to sell more TVs — but is that bad news for shoppers?

This 27-inch monitor covers the basics, including a 1440p IPS panel with a variable 240Hz refresh rate. The design is fairly nondescript, with a black-and-white theme that matches the PS5. It also includes unique features, such as Auto HDR tone-mapping that calibrates your PS5’s video settings and a convenient charging hook for your DualSense controller.

While the PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor isn’t revolutionary, it delivers on its promise as an excellent desktop companion for your PS5. Sure, it doesn’t have 4K resolution or an OLED panel, but it still offers a fantastic gaming experience for only $349. If you’re looking for a monitor for both your PC and PS5, this monitor comes with my highest recommendation. Find out why in my full review.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 27-inch gaming monitor that’s specifically designed for the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
• Who is it for? For gamers who own a PS5 and/or a gaming PC and prefer playing at their desk.
• What does it cost? The PlayStation 27” Gaming Monitor is available now for $349 on PlayStation’s website and at Best Buy.
• What do we like? We like the sleek, minimalist design, bright and colorful display, fast performance, built-in charging hook, and Auto HDR tone mapping.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that it tops out at 1440p and lacks an OLED panel.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: Specs

PlayStation 27" gaming monitor review: The ups

The 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor impresses thanks to its elegant design, vibrant picture quality, smooth performance, and PS5-centric features.

PS5-like design

The first thing you’ll notice is that this looks a lot like a PlayStation monitor, thanks to its black-and-white color scheme. The almost all-white back, featuring the iconic PlayStation logo, complements the black shaft, stand, bezels, and the port locations. It’s a classy design that looks just as good in an office as in a gaming den.

Gliding the monitor up and down the shaft is easy, as is tilting and swiveling it to your preferred viewing height and angle. The shaft is completely flat and takes up little space on your desk, leaving more room for peripherals. There’s also a VESA mount on the back to use it with one of the best monitor arms, if you prefer.

Port-wise, you get everything you need to connect to a PS5 and/or PC. This includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a single DisplayPort, two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a USB-B port. Since the monitor is so light, it’s easy to turn it around to access the ports. It’s nearly impossible to connect anything by touch alone if you’re facing the monitor.

My favorite design element is the charging hook for your controller. The hook swings down from the back of the monitor like a door handle and snaps into place when fully down or fully up. There’s just enough room on the hook’s end for your DualSense controller to rest comfortably while it charges. This is one of the smartest features I’ve seen on a monitor.

Vivid and sharp display

The 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor has a 27-inch (2560 x 1440) IPS panel. Although it’s not an OLED screen, you still get excellent image quality because the monitor automatically calibrates your PS5 for the best HDR settings. The 16:9 aspect ratio is also ideal for PS5 games and many PC titles.

There are only four standard picture modes: Default, Cool, Warm, and sRGB — with each of these having corresponding HDR modes. Some can look brighter or more colorful, but you generally get the same image quality across the board.

I was blown away when I tested Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on this monitor in the Default display setting. Because the colors aren’t oversaturated, in-game New York City looked incredibly lifelike and cinematic. Neon signs and energy bolts pop out nicely, while HDR provides strong contrast between dark and light elements. This is as good as it gets for a non-OLED panel.

The 27-inch PlayStation monitor did well on our lab test. Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is excellent, while color accuracy (Delta-E) is just slightly lower than what I usually see from gaming monitors. In contrast, the $349 Alienware AW2726DM delivers much more vivid colors, but its HDR across 100% of the screen can’t match the PlayStation 27’s. The latter is certainly a benefit of lacking an OLED panel.

Smooth performance

The PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor supports up to a 240Hz refresh rate, double the PS5’s maximum 120Hz. That means that whether you’re playing on a PS5 or PC, you’ll get a buttery-smooth gaming experience thanks to the high refresh rate and VRR support.

Spider-Man 2 on the PS5 Pro runs like a dream on this monitor. I didn’t experience a single instance of screen tearing or input lag. This is especially important in a game like this, where you’re swinging through Manhattan’s artificial canyons at breakneck speeds one moment, and dealing with mobs of enemies the next. No matter what’s happening on the screen, the monitor handles it beautifully.

Simple interface

The menu UI’s design is as clean and simple as the monitor itself. The interface features a transparent background with white lettering. Here, you can access the aforementioned picture modes, as well as settings for audio, inputs, profiles, and more.

The OSD (On-Screen Display) joystick on the back lets you navigate the menus easily. Located just above the power button, the white joystick blends well with the back of the monitor and offers the right balance of sturdiness and flexibility when you move it up and down and left and right.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: The downs

While there’s a lot to like about this PlayStation monitor, it has a few minor drawbacks.

No OLED or 4K

The only two real negatives about the 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor are that it doesn’t have an OLED panel and it tops out at 1440p. If you absolutely need an OLED monitor or 4K resolution, then this could be a major deterrent. However, if that doesn’t matter to you, you might not see these as negatives at all.

I’m mostly sharing this as an expectation check, because while it’s a bummer that the display isn’t OLED and the resolution is 1440p tops, I don’t consider these major deal-breakers. The overall image quality is phenomenal, and arguably better than what you’d get on some similarly-priced monitors.

As for price, the $349 price tag makes it extremely easy to forgive any shortcomings, especially when its upsides vastly outweigh the negatives.

PlayStation 27" gaming monitor review: Verdict

The PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor is a worthwhile purchase for gamers who primarily play at their desk. Though it’s not the fanciest gaming monitor out there, it has everything you need for a great experience on PS5 and PC. And as I said before, it’s hard to knock this monitor because of its affordable $349 asking price.

If you absolutely need an OLED monitor, the $349 Alienware AW2726DM is a solid alternative. But if you want seamless integration with your PS5, plus a charging hook for your controller, the 27-inch PlayStation is an easy recommendation. It’s really that good!

This year, "compromise" became a dirty word. Laptops gained dual OLED screens without losing all-day battery life, budget peripherals delivered soundscapes usually reserved for four-figure studio setups, and on-device processing finally evolved from a gimmick into everyday horsepower.

We sifted through the noise, ran hundreds of lab benchmarks, and tested dozens of contenders to death. Here are the 22 standout winners that earned a permanent place on our desks for the 2026 Tom’s Guide Computing Awards.

Laptops

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a true MacBook Neo rival and easily the best budget laptop you can buy right now. Despite its low $699 starting price, it doesn’t skimp on luxury features you’d find on more expensive laptops, giving you quality with few compromises.

The thin, light aluminum chassis not only looks great, but it also makes the XPS 13 ideal for travel. The sharp 13.4-inch 2K touch display is bright and colorful, while the Intel Wildcat Lake chip inside gives you plenty of performance for everyday work. And if that wasn’t enough, it has more than enough battery life to last you for a full workday. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)

Dual-screen laptops have always been a bit gimmicky to me, but this year’s Asus Zenbook Duo proved me dead wrong with its potent combination of two mesmerizing 14-inch OLED panels and the raw performance of Intel’s breakthrough Core Ultra X9 388H chipset.

It all starts with a ground-up ceraluminum redesign for the double display system that feels premium to the touch and sturdier against the elements. Throw in a CPU that has the power of a supercar paired with the efficiency of a Toyota Prius (you can actually game on this thing, and it has a 14-hour battery life), and it’s easily one of my favorite laptops of the year. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI

But what about in the gaming laptop space? There’s been a whole lot of monsters born this year, and Acer’s Predator Helios 18 AI definitely sits in that portable desktop replacement camp with what’s lying under the hood (up to an RTX 5090) and the massive wattage being pumped through to the chip.

Combine that with a gorgeously massive and buttery-smooth mini-LED panel, up to 192GB of RAM (in this economy!?) and a strong keyboard typing experience with plenty of ports, and you’ve got quite a winning formula. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Razer Blade 16 (2026)

The Razer Blade 16 (2026) is an ultraportable gaming laptop that makes no compromises. Thanks to its powerful components, it can run even the most demanding PC games at buttery-smooth frame rates. The vivid 16-inch OLED panel ensures all those games are a sight to behold.

The sleek design, with its sturdy, CNC-milled, all-black aluminum chassis, means this laptop will look just as great in the office as it is in your gaming den. Of course, RGB lighting on the keyboard deck shows the Blade 16 knows how to have fun. Though certainly pricey at $3,599 (to start), this is one of the finest gaming laptops I’ve reviewed and is worth your hard-earned cash. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

When MediaTek jumped into the Chromebook pool with its Kompanio Ultra ARM silicon, it was like Google’s laptops got a shot in the…well, arm. And of all the options released, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 stands out as one of the most impressive.

Because it’s not just about the performance and power efficiency (almost 15 hours of battery life on one charge) or AI-infused simplicity of a Gemini-boosted Chrome OS. It’s about the experience you build around them, and this OLED 2-in-1 is one of the nicest-feeling Chromebooks I’ve touched. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Tablets

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an entertainment-focused Android tablet that has the largest speaker I’ve ever seen. The JBL speaker is so large, you could even say it’s a speaker with a tablet attached, rather than the other way around. And it’s not for show either, as it delivers punchy, bassy sound you can feel in your chest. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker, which adds versatility.

The 12.1-inch IPS display is bright and colorful, making whatever you’re watching look its best. The 16:9 aspect ratio is great for videos, and it also works well for comic books and websites in vertical mode. There’s also a handy built-in kickstand when you want to sit back and relax at your desk. Though its performance isn’t the best for getting work done and it's too heavy to hold for long periods, the incredible sound and overall ease of use make this $399 tablet an easy recommendation. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Desktops

Alienware Area-51 Desktop

The Alienware Area-51 is for hardcore users willing to pay top dollar for premium gaming performance. Aside from AMD Ryzen X3D processor options, this is effectively the same PC I reviewed last year. That’s not a bad thing, as this is still a phenomenal PC.

You can configure this beast with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 4TB of storage, and 64GB of RAM. You can also kit it out with an Intel Core Ultra 200S chip if you’re Team Blue. All of it is housed in an otherworldly design that keeps the PC running cool and quiet. If you have the space for it in your office or gaming den, this is the ultimate gaming PC. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Lenovo Yoga Mini

The Lenovo Yoga Mini breaks free from the rectangular design of other mini PCs, adding cool extras like RGB underglow and touch controls. This circular mini PC is meant to sit front and center on your desk, and it looks absolutely stunning.

Despite its smaller size and unique shape, the Yoga Mini is equipped with Intel’s latest Ultra X5 and X7 chips to handle whatever you throw at it. Lenovo didn’t skimp on ports either, and you also get an integrated fingerprint scanner in the power button for secure and seamless logins. If you’re after a small yet unique mini PC that stands out from the crowd, this is one of the most impressive machines and designs I’ve seen yet. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Asus ROG G1000

So I’ll just say it upfront — Asus has created a monster that’s not just designed to be played, but to be seen as well. This is a monolithic pre-built tower that packs a whole bunch of flash courtesy of that holographic fan giving it a real stage presence atop your desk.

This is what happens when a company throws out the game plan and decides to do something a bit bonkers. Under the hood, you can spec it up to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, an RTX 5090, a whopping 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB SSD — complete with a 1,000-watt power supply keeping it all going. Top it off with some real cooling innovation with that Tri-zone airflow design, and this beast won’t break a sweat. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Khadas Mind Pro

Khadas continues to build on its modular mini PC ecosystem with its new Mind Pro. Although this portable mini PC packs in more power than ever before, it’s not that much larger than the original Mind or the Mind 2S. Likewise, thanks to Khadas’ proprietary Mind Connector on the bottom, it’s still compatible with the company’s existing docks, which instantly transform its mini PCs into a gaming rig or even a laptop.

The Mind Pro may be small, but like its predecessors, it still comes packed with full-sized ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s also a 7.98Wh battery inside that lets this more powerful mini PC sleep for over 48 hours, so you can bring it from one workstation or location to another. The Mind Pro’s extra thickness over the Mind is certainly worth it if you want even more power in a similar form factor with a growing ecosystem of game-changing accessories. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Monitors

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36

MSI knows how to make a great gaming monitor, and the MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one of its best so far — and certainly the best this year. A blistering 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver buttery-smooth gameplay.

The monitor also boasts phenomenal color coverage and accuracy, making it ideal not just for gaming, but for professional color grading and editing too. The X36 also features an AI Care Sensor that automatically alters the monitor’s display settings by detecting a human in front of it — yes, AI isn’t just a gimmick on the X36. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Alienware 27 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW2726DM)

The Alienware AW2726DM is a premium gaming monitor that costs less than you’d expect. For $349, you get a gorgeous 27-inch 1440p OLED panel that makes everything look its best, a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, and a low 0.03ms response time that can keep up with even the fastest-paced games.

The biggest compliment I can give the AW2726DM is that it has become my main monitor at work, proving that it’s not just good for gaming, as text on websites and documents appears nice and crisp. While HDR brightness could be brighter, and the design is very basic, lacking embellishments like RGB, this is a wonderful gaming monitor that won’t kill your bank account. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80HS

The Samsung Odyssey 32-inch G8 G80HS is a marvel to behold thanks to its super-sharp 6K resolution, which is a first for gaming monitors, according to Samsung. It offers the most detailed picture quality I’ve ever seen. Trust me when I say that your eyes won’t be disappointed.

In addition to 6K at 165Hz, you can also switch to 3K mode at 330Hz for fast-paced competitive games. If you have a powerful PC that can play games at frame rates high enough to match that refresh rate, you’re in for a silky smooth and fast experience. While certainly pricey at its usual $1,599 asking price, you’re getting your money’s worth for visual fidelity and performance. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Audio

Edifier HECATE G2000 Pro

Excellent sound quality? On a sub-$200 budget? The Edifier G2000 Pro desktop speakers look straight out of a sci-fi movie, and they’ve got otherworldly sound quality to boot. The reactive RGB lighting dances to in-game sounds and the beat of drums when listening to music.

The G2000 Pro packs plenty of oomph, delivering deep, meaty bass that makes you feel immersed in RPGs, horror, and racing titles. The treble is bright and crisp, so you can hear the clashing of swords in excruciating detail — and it never becomes fatiguing. In-game dialogue is loud and clear, too, making the G2000 Pro one of the best computer speakers out there. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Edifier HECATE G5 Max

The Edifier G5 Max makes you feel like the main character without breaking the bank. Equipped with a 53mm dynamic driver, 7.1.4 Spatial Audio co-developed by Hecate and THX, and an extremely comfortable design, the G5 Max also supports Hi-Res Audio streaming.

Chock-full of features usually reserved for premium prices, the G5 Max goes the extra mile by offering dual apps for customization. It is, by far, the best gaming headset for those on a budget. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Sony Inzone H6 Air

The Sony Inzone H6 Air proves that gaming headsets can be just as good for listening to music. Equipped with 40mm studio-grade drivers found in Sony’s monitoring headphones, the H6 Air is the ideal headset for audiophiles and gamers who want an immersive experience.

Whether you’re taking in the sights and sounds in open-world RPGs or infiltrating enemy bases in FPS titles, the H6 Air ensures you hear every soft footstep and loud explosion. Its open-back design offers superior comfort for all-day wear, and it comes with a detachable boom mic that makes you sound loud and clear. The H6 Air is the one headset to rule them all. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Components

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

Intel’s been on a bit of a comeback tour this year, and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a highlight of its return to form. By focusing on the fundamentals and righting the wrongs of its previous “Arrow Lake” generation, Intel’s created something special (and well-priced) for your machine.

The productivity chops are still here — staying miles ahead of AMD in terms of getting stuff done. But with critical improvements to its gaming performance by speeding up the travel time for data inside the chip and offering performance packages, these vastly cheaper chips get uncomfortably close in potential to Team Red’s pricey X3D CPUs. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE

GPU pricing has become a bit of a running joke in 2026, but amid huge price increases, AMD has managed to hold down the fort, with the nicely powerful Radeon RX 9070 GRE staying (or even below) its MSRP.

Built atop AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture to support all that FSR Redstone goodness, this is a fantastic 1440p GPU that offers decent ray tracing performance, strong frame rates, and real value for money. It may not be the best for productivity, but if you want bang for your buck in gaming, this is solid. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

It’s a double win for Intel in the components category, as the Arc G3 Extreme in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers the next-generation breakthrough for gaming handhelds we’ve been waiting for.

Taking that monster integrated GPU from the Panther Lake laptop chips and stuffing it into a handheld (XeSS 3 multi-frame generation and all) has led to a giant leap not just in frames per second, but in power efficiency too. With just over four hours of battery life on one charge in our gaming testing, and the ability to play games on a 4K screen with ease, this is a phenomenal chip. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Accessories and peripherals

Tessan Voyager 205

One thing that’s become an increasingly difficult task on my travels is keeping everything powered. The USB-C port demands can create a Frankenstein combination of travel adaptors all over my hotel room, but the Tessan Voyager 205 has the international compatibility and raw wattage to charge every single thing in my arsenal.

With three USB-C ports at 45W, three USB-C ports at 160W, USB-A, and a plug adaptor to plug something else in to make the most of that 205W output, this is a compact beast of a charger that keeps everything topped up with ease. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure

Satechi has long made some of the best Apple accessories, and its Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is the first accessory I’d pick up for Cupertino’s latest mini PC. Thanks to its anodized aluminum finish and dimensions, it complements the Mac mini M4 perfectly while giving you easy access to the device’s power button with a handy cutout on the back.

With Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub, you can instantly add three USB-A ports and an SD card reader to your Mac, but that’s not all it can do. There’s also a free M.2 slot on the underside which lets you expand your Mac mini’s storage by up to 4TB. Whether you want to beat the Apple Tax on storage or add extra ports to your Mac mini M4, this accessory is easy to recommend. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro

Few keyboards are “designed for audiophiles,” but the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is, and it’s the best-sounding mechanical keyboard I’ve ever tested. Its Kailh Cocoa switches, five layers of sound-dampening foam, and double-shot PBT keycaps come together to create a raindrop-like sound profile that’s gobsmackingly fantastic.

Plus, the Rainy 75 Pro is an absolute beast for productivity, thanks to its ultra-responsive switches and up to 900 hours of battery life. Its full CNC-machined aluminum construction also means the keyboard can stand the test of time. There really is no better deck for hardcore typists (and fans of a thocky sound). — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

We recently asked readers which brand they trusted most and one company was the clear winner. Now we're coming to you all directly with a short survey that will help us figure out what you love and hate about the six biggest TV makers: Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL and Vizio.

Fill it out at your leisure and let me know in the comments what your biggest gripes are.

Here's how I'd answer

Testing TVs for a living has left me with an embarrassing amount of screens in my home. In my home office I've got a 75-inch TCL QM9K. Downstairs in my living room is a Samsung S95D OLED. In my music listening room I've got the Hisense U8N.

In the above survey, I'd mark all three down.

How long have I owned those TVs? Not all that long.

The first TV I ever owned was a massive CRT model that I used to play N64 and PS1 games on growing up. My parents bought that TV for me and my brother in 1996 and I was still rocking it to play Halo 2 a decade later.

These days, however, I'm trading out TVs every two to three years. That's probably a bit excessive, honestly, but as someone who covers this stuff, I want to make sure that I have access to all the latest and greatest technology to provide the best analysis to you guys.

Would I buy these TVs again? I absolutely would. They're all great value options. Not everyone probably feels the same as I feel, though. For some of you I'm sure the answer is going to be a resounding no. If that's you, drop a comment below letting me know why that is.

If the answer is yes, also drop a comment below letting me know why you like your TV so much. By doing so, you could be directly helping someone find their new favorite TV.

Stay tuned for the results of these surveys and check out our guide to the best TV brands in 2026 if you haven't done so already. You'll be seeing the results used in more stories in the coming weeks as we continue to break down what's working — and what's not working — in the world of TVs.

More from Tom's Guide

• There's a better cable for TVs than HDMI — but here's why we'll probably never use it
• Best Buy Essentials Ultra-Thin Amplified HDTV Antenna review
• Your streaming stick isn't broken — these apps are just slowing it down to a crawl

RGB backlight technology is clearly here to stay, and it’s laying the groundwork to eventually replace traditional Mini-LED as the de facto standard among the best TVs. While more budget-friendly models like the Hisense UR9 are making the tech accessible, sets like the Sony Bravia 9 II represent the uncompromising high end, commanding a steep $3,599 starting price.

The seeds for this flagship were planted three years ago when I visited Sony’s Tokyo HQ to see early prototypes of its backlight drivers. Sony’s mission then was granular control in service of "artistic intent.” The original Sony Bravia 9 proved how potent that philosophy was, but the Bravia 9 II elevates it further by introducing a refined True RGB system.

The result is a display that feels worth every penny. If OLEDs hadn't made massive brightness leaps of their own recently, I’d call this a full-blown OLED killer. A handful of other TVs might push higher raw peak nits on paper, but the Bravia 9 II pairs OLED-rivaling blacks, rich color performance, and an elite anti-reflective coating with a level of visual finesse that makes it the undisputed champion of RGB TVs.

Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV: Price and sizes

The Sony Bravia 9 II is positioned at the apex of Sony's current TV offerings, and its pricing reflects its ultra-flagship status:

• 65-inch Sony Bravia 9 II (K65XR90M2): $3,599.99
• 75-inch Sony Bravia 9 II (K75XR90M2): $4,599.99
• 85-inch Sony Bravia 9 II (K85XR90M2): $6,499.99
• 115-inch Sony Bravia 9 II (K115XR90M2): $30,999 (not yet available)

All sizes feature identical internal performance capabilities, though it's worth noting the gargantuan 115-inch model omits the Mirage stand found on its smaller siblings. And frankly, nobody needs to spend $30,000+ on an LED TV, no matter how good it is.

While launch prices are steep, we have already seen modest discounts hit retailers, and you can expect more enticing sales around Black Friday.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Design, ports and connectivity

In terms of design, the highlight here is the new "Mirage" stand setup. When viewed from the right angle, the TV appears to float effortlessly above your console thanks to a magnetic lenticular cover plate that conceals cables fed cleanly down the center base. Much like the metallic floating bezel on Samsung's latest flagship S95H OLED, Sony's design choices make the TV look distinctive and elevated. On a macro-level, I’m excited to see TV manufacturers introducing memorable flourishes right now.

But if you’re after the slimmest TV, the Bravia 9 II isn’t it. Because it is a backlit Mini-LED system, the chassis is naturally thicker and heavier than paper-thin OLED alternatives (1.75 inches and 58.6 pounds, respectively, for the 65-inch model we reviewed).

The Bravia 9 II also sports an upgraded anti-reflective screen coating. In testing, it proved exceptionally capable at suppressing harsh indoor light sources and window reflections, easily rivaling Samsung's matte anti-glare solutions. Paired with the screen's immense light output (which I’ll detail further below,) this set thrives in sun-drenched rooms.

Where Sony stumbles is in its port selection: For a flagship in 2026, offering only two HDMI 2.1 ports (out of four total) remains a frustrating point of contention for multi-console gamers and AV enthusiasts who need multiple high-bandwidth connections. On the plus side, it does include an ATSC 3.0 tuner for broadcast 4K signals — something rival sets from Samsung and LG skimped out on in 2026.

How we test TVs

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subject tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For our technical tests, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’s Calman calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining whether it’s one of the best gaming TVs. For a more detailed look at what we do and how we do it, check out our “How we test TVs” page.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Performance

The Bravia 9 II’s picture performance impressed me most with its shadow precision and color vibrancy. Watching the rainy dock chase scene in “The Batman,” the colored lights piercing through the dark night sky looked completely controlled, intentional and hyper-vivid. Dark cityscape details remained intact without blowing out shadow details, while blooming around bright light sources was virtually non-existent.

Color handling is equally outstanding. In “Dune: Part Two,” the vast desert sands and open skies of Arrakis displayed buttery-smooth gradations with zero visible color banding.

I did notice some minor limitations in off-angle viewing, however. While Sony's wide-angle tech marks a huge improvement over the original Bravia 9, sitting far off-axis still introduces slight contrast drop-offs that you simply won't find on an OLED panel.

Gaming on the Bravia 9 II feels fluid, and has natural benefits for PS5 owners. Swinging through New York in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PS5, motion remained crisp even during fast camera shifts. An input lag of 9.8 milliseconds is a monumental improvement over the Bravia 9’s 17 milliseconds, cracking the sub-10 millisecond threshold that’s pretty much the fastest we’ve seen on any Sony TV in the lab.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Test results

Speaking of our lab testing, the Sony Bravia 9 II delivered premium benchmark results, reflecting a massive generational step forward for Sony's backlighting.

Out of the box, our production unit of the Sony Bravia 9 II reached 3,903 nits of peak HDR brightness in a 10% window (worth noting: a pre-production sample we tested previously managed 3,990 nits).

This represents a gigantic leap over the original Bravia 9's 2,713 nits. By shifting away from standard white LEDs to a True RGB backlight system, Sony proved it can drive immense luminance without blowing out color accuracy or clipping highlights. It comfortably outshines even the brightest flagship OLED we’ve tested (the Samsung S95H at 2,721 nits) while essentially matching its impressive 89.60% Rec. 2020 color gamut coverage.

Hisense’s UR9 remains the raw brightness champion at 4,370 nits and holds a slight lead in Rec. 2020 gamut coverage (93.14% vs 89.23%), but almost no content is mastered to saturate BT.2020 fully.

When comparing the Bravia 9 II’s premium over Sony's step-down Bravia 7 II, the lab numbers tell an interesting story. The Bravia 7 II holds its own with a respectable 2,077 nits and nearly identical color coverage, but the flagship Bravia 9 II nearly doubles its peak HDR output and delivers superior out-of-the-box color accuracy. That would make a significant difference in a sun-drenched room.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Audio

Sony re-architected the internal chassis of the Bravia 9 II to create more internal air volume, pairing its primary subwoofers with side-saddled tweeters and a newly added upward-firing beam tweeter. The result is an expansive soundstage with undeniable punch.

The Bravia 9 II also gets Sony’s Voice Zoom feature, which offers six levels of dialogue adjustment in either direction to adjust vocal clarity. I personally like using it for watching live sports when I want the commentary to pop clearly over roaring stadium crowds.

While I think it sounds great for a standalone TV, I also think a display of this caliber deserves a dedicated surround setup. If you stick within Sony's ecosystem, Acoustic Center Sync allows the TV’s built-in drivers to operate as the center channel when paired with a compatible Sony soundbar or home theater system.

Alongside this TV, Sony introduced the Bravia Theater Trio, a condensed central soundbar with wireless left and right channels. I haven’t tested it myself, but I’m intrigued by how it offers flexible placement options.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Software and interface

The Bravia 9 II runs Google TV, which is one of my personal favorite smart TV platforms for daily use. You can take it or leave it, but Gemini AI integration now allows you to ask questions about movies, request quick briefs on sports scores, or catch up on daily news digests.

Google TV Freeplay comes built-in, offering over 280 ad-supported channels for instant streaming. Users also receive free Sony Pictures Core credits (10 movie downloads plus 2 years of unlimited access to 100 curated Sony Pictures titles). Otherwise, app navigation for your subscribed services is generally fast and responsive, and it plays especially nice with YouTube TV for those like me who use it as their cable alternative.

When idle, the TV’s screensavers setting pulls from Google Photos, curated art galleries, or AI-generated art. Combined with the anti-reflective screen coating, the Bravia 9 II could satisfy that itch for an art TV aesthetic.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Remote

Sony’s remote control is one of the best in the business. It features a comfortable, textured back and motion-sensitive backlighting that automatically illuminates the keys when you pick it up in a dark room and gently fades away once set back down. It’s fully rechargeable via USB-C.

Quick-launch shortcut keys are provided for Google TV Freeplay ("Free TV"), Sony Pictures Core, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and Prime Video. There is also a customizable shortcut button that can be programmed to launch your most-used app or control Google Home smart devices.

I appreciate how it includes a dedicated Quick Settings toolbar button, too. It's a game-changer being able to tweak sleep timers or brightness levels without interrupting what you're watching.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Verdict

I’m convinced the Sony Bravia 9 II is the undisputed champion of RGB TVs. By pairing extreme peak luminance with unprecedented dimming control and top-tier processing, Sony has delivered a display that easily holds its ground against the best OLED TVs on the market. It isn't cheap, and the persistent limit of two HDMI 2.1 ports will annoy power users, but those are minor compromises on an otherwise breathtaking television.

If you want something cheaper (and we wouldn’t blame you for doing so), the step-down Sony Bravia 7 II delivers much of the same True RGB color magic for a significantly lower price tag. Alternatively, if you're still not convinced anything can beat OLED's perfect black levels, the LG C6 remains a phenomenal pick for dark-room viewing.

That said, if you have a bright living space and want the absolute peak of cinematic color and brightness finesse, the RGB LED-powered Bravia 9 II is worth every single penny.

This is why, for the last several weeks, we’ve been asking you — the readers — which major TV brand you consider to be the most trustworthy.

Between Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL and Vizio, one brand proved more trustworthy than the rest — and it wasn’t particularly close. Sony, makers of some of the best TVs you can buy, rose above the competition. Here’s how the rest of the pack stacked up.

Trusted TV brands: Full results

In just over two weeks, our poll compiled just over 3,200 votes. Here's a breakdown of the results at the time of publishing:

Among our readers, Sony-branded QLEDs, OLEDs and True RGB TVs are the most trusted. LG and Samsung are closely positioned in second and third place, while TCL, Hisense and Vizio received far fewer votes overall.

It's an interesting time to analyze these results. We recently conducted a week-long exercise in which we doled out report cards to these brands, grading each on performance, features, price and more. Sony received our highest grade for performance (A). However, Sony was also the recipient of the lowest grade we handed out for price (C-).

Our reasoning for these grades is simple: Sony's superb engineering and unparalleled picture processing amount to some of the best performance money can buy. Unfortunately, the cost of this consistency is often passed down to the viewer, as Sony TVs tend to be priced higher than rival TVs.

Sony TVs in 2026 and beyond

If Sony's 2026 Bravia TV lineup is any indication, the company is perfectly comfortable assuming the role of a trusted premium TV-maker — even if its mid-range and luxury models are priced higher than the competition.

Interestingly, our poll proves that viewers and TV-shoppers aren't necessarily fazed by this arrangement. Among our readers, Sony is more trustworthy than LG and Samsung (brands that specialize in high-end performance) and far more trustworthy than TCL and Hisense (brands commonly associated with value-forward, budget-friendly models).

Recently, Sony spun out its TV business, with rival brand TCL taking on a 51% stake in the operation. It's tough to say how this might affect Sony TVs, TCL TVs and the reputation of both brands.

We'll be continuing to run the poll, so if you haven't responded to our poll about TV-brand trustworthiness, we want to hear from you: Your input could help shape how these companies will build, tune, and market these TVs in 2027 and beyond.

More from Tom's Guide

• We just graded every TV brand on price, performance and more — here’s how their report cards stack up
• This RGB LED TV is the one to buy if the Sony Bravia 9 II is outside of your budget
• TCL and Sony are joining forces to sell more TVs — but is that bad news for shoppers?

“When we think about the future, and we put in a lot of thought and time, and we cautiously considered this, and we came to this conclusion. And we’re going to cautiously move this forward,” Tao said.

Sony has been receiving near-daily backlash from gamers online; most of the backlash isn't over the medium of discs itself but a perceived lack of ownership since most digital sales are "licenses," not something you actually own. Data from Circana analyst Mat Piscatella highlighted that in 2008 over 100 PlayStation games sold more than 100,000 copies. This year, only 7 reached that mark.

Unfortunately, Sony made this announcement just as prices are skyrocketing for RAM and storage, forcing hikes on everything from phones to laptops and anything that requires memory thanks to AI-driven supply constraints.

With that in mind, I decided to take a look at how much memory you would need for the 37 first-party games released for the PlayStation 5 since it launched in 2020.

Here's the full list of the games

• Astro Bot
• Astro’s Playroom
• Days Gone Remastered
• Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Demon’s Souls remake
• Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
• Ghost of Yōtei
• God of War Ragnarök
• God of War: Sons of Sparta
• Gran Turismo 7
• Helldivers 2
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
• Lego Horizon Adventures
• Lost Soul Aside
• Midnight Murder Club
• MLB The Show 21
• MLB The Show 22
• MLB The Show 23
• MLB The Show 24
• MLB The Show 25
• MLB The Show 26
• Nioh collection (Nioh 1 & 2 Remastered)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal
• Rise of the Ronin
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure
• Saros
• Spider-Man Remastered
• Spider-Man 2
• Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Stellar Blade
• The Last of Us Part 1 remake
• The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
• Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
• Until Dawn remake

Using the listed download size from the PlayStation Store, I found that the 37 games totaled 2,989.1 GB, or about 2.99 TB.

The PS5 comes with 1TB of storage, which you can expand with an m.2 SSD or an external hard drive. To fit all of these games, plus whatever extra space is needed for the operating system and any patches you're going to want, at a minimum, a 4TB hard drive.

At the time of writing, the officially licensed 4TB WD Black NVMe m.2 SSD that PlayStation recommends sells for $789.99 on Amazon. That is $400 more than the same hard drive cost a year ago, and about as much as the PS5 Pro.

The cheapest 4TB drive, possibly compatible with the PS5, that I could find is a refurbished Samsung 990 Pro for $419.99 from Best Buy.

Unfortunately, those prices aren't likely to get better, as SK Hynix, one of the big three RAM manufacturers alongside Samsung and Micron, recently warned that 2027 will be even worse for RAM prices. And it's unlikely to get better by 2028, when Sony will stop making and selling physical copies of PS5 games.

Between rising prices and fears over ownership, gamers are stuck in a rough spot for the next few years. And that doesn't even account for the higher price they'll likely have to pay for a PS6 to play games from the next console generation.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony TV report card 2026: Is the 'Sony tax' still worth paying?
• If PlayStation wants to succeed with all-digital, it needs to follow the Steam model — 5 ways it can win over gamers like me
• Sony TV report card 2026: Is the 'Sony tax' still worth paying?

The goal was simple: grade each TV-maker on pricing, design, features and performance. We also took a hard look at each of these brands' software.

Now that these familiar names have received their respective report cards, it's time to meet them in the classroom for a conference about how they're doing this year. If you're shopping for the best TV in 2026, this ought to give you a pretty clear picture about how to spend your money.

Pricing

Of the six names in the mix, Hisense, TCL and Vizio led the class in the all-important pricing category. If you’ve shopped for a TV lately, this probably won’t come as a surprise.

Vizio has focused almost entirely on ultra-affordable TVs in recent years. While the rest of the big-name brands tinker with high-end, cutting-edge technologies like RGB LED and QD-OLED, Vizio is focused on more cost-effective hardware.

Meanwhile, the most-popular entry-level sets in Hisense and TCL’s primary lineups tend to be more affordable than those of LG, Samsung and Sony. In addition, it’s often the case that, when comparing similarly priced models, Hisense and TCL TVs offer a bit more bang for your buck when it comes to features.

Winner: Tie (Hisense, TCL and Vizio)

Design

When it comes to design, Samsung and Sony lead the way. Sony’s top TVs often arrive with multiple stand configurations, and its most recent True RGB TVs feature a unique stand design that effectively hides cables by way of lenticular lensing.

Samsung consistently innovates at the higher end of its lineup, too, popularizing matte-style screens, external connectivity hubs and, most recently, eye-catching metallic frames. Affordable, entry-level Samsung QLEDs lean into the simplistic nature of their display hardware, often arriving with sleek, slim panels that play the part of a more-premium set.

LG’s most noteworthy TVs — its OLEDs — are handsomely engineered, too, but the worldwide leader in OLED TVs doesn’t seem too eager to move away from tried and true formulas.

TCL and Hisense are purveyors of TVs with safe, middle-of-the-road designs that don’t innovate as much as they respond to (and replicate) industry trends. Their higher-end TVs tend to carry their best design characteristics.

Winner: Tie (Samsung and Sony)

Features

Years ago, LG was among the first TV-makers to outfit its TVs with a full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs. This aggressive approach to supplemental features has carried all the way into 2026, where the company narrowly leads TCL and Samsung when it comes to gaming- and streaming-related enhancements.

Although Samsung’s top-shelf TVs are jam-packed with extras, there are plenty of people shopping in this higher price tier expecting the full package. Without Dolby Vision support, LG’s top TVs are the most feature-complete.

Sony is the last of these brands to embrace full HDMI 2.1 support. Fortunately, that seems to be the new standard for the brand as the company looks to leverage newer chipsets in 2026 and beyond.

This year, Hisense and TCL are similar in how they approach feature availability across their respective lineups, but for the last couple of years, Hisense has traded a fourth HDMI input for a USB-C DisplayPort on its higher-end models — a move that might disappoint home theater enthusiasts looking to plug in every single one of their HDMI-equipped devices.

Being the brand most concerned with affordability above all else, it’s no surprise that Vizio is the brand least concerned with premium features.

Winner: LG

Performance

Although TCL and Hisense make exceptional TVs, LG, Samsung and Sony are the brands to consider if you’re looking for top-tier, best-in-the-business performance.

Of the six brands we graded, LG, Samsung and Sony are the only three that make OLED TVs. Despite the rapid ascension of RGB LED technology, OLED remains the best all-around option (provided you don’t need super-high full-field brightness to overcome a sun-soaked room). And, of the graded brands releasing RGB LED TVs in 2026, Samsung and Sony have impressed me the most with the Samsung R95H and Sony Bravia 9 II.

These brands also deliver better picture processing than Hisense, TCL and Vizio. On the whole, Sony TVs feature better processing than any other brand, but LG and Samsung aren’t far behind.

At the mid-range and entry level, ranking the brands’ performance isn’t as cut and dry. Hisense and TCL have fortified their position as the best bang-for-your-buck brands in these price tiers because they typically offer brighter pictures with better contrast control. In many cases, you could spend the same amount of money on an entry-level or mid-range LED TV from LG, Samsung or Sony and walk away with a less-impressive picture.

Vizio is… Well, Vizio. The Walmart-owned brand doesn’t make high-end flagships anymore, and the rest of its TVs are affordably made models engineered primarily to generate ad revenue by way of its web-based software. There’s nothing wrong with buying a Vizio TV as long as you’re shopping for affordability instead of sheer picture prowess.

Winner: Sony

Smart TV platform

Hisense, TCL and Sony offer the smoothest streaming experiences thanks to their built-in Google TV smart platform. It’s my second-favorite choice behind the Roku operating system on account of its relatively straightforward interface and vast library of downloadable apps.

LG and Samsung fall to a lower tier, primarily because their respective software suites aren’t as easy to navigate. Both LG’s webOS and Samsung’s Smart Hub also come with a unique set of annoyances, like unnecessary AI features and auto-playing content.

Vizio is to be avoided if you’re hoping to avoid buying an external streaming device, as its proprietary software lags behind the five other brands. The interface is inundated with more ads than its competitors (including auto-playing commercials) and its app selection is limited.

Winner: Hisense, TCL and Sony

Overall Brand Grades

So, you’re shopping for a TV this year and you want to put all of this information to proper use. Allow me to simplify things.

If you’re looking to splash out on a top-performing TV with an emphasis on design and features, LG and Samsung ought to be at the top of your list of options. At the highest price tier, Sony’s TVs offer similarly excellent performance and design, but some of these models don’t offer as many gaming-related features despite their steep cost.

If you’re looking for a mid-range TV in the Goldilocks Zone between affordability and high performance, consider Hisense and TCL. These two brands are especially suited for mid-range TV-shoppers on the hunt for the brightest possible picture, since Hisense and TCL specialize in budget-friendly Mini-LED TVs that don’t skimp on display hardware. (For what it’s worth, Hisense and TCL flagship models are usually quite good — just not as impressive as flagships from LG, Samsung and Sony.)

If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, I strongly recommend shopping for something from Hisense or TCL over anything from Insignia, Pioneer or Onn. I also recommend Hisense and TCL over Vizio, unless you’re comfortable with Vizio’s ad-heavy software experience.

Next year, we’ll grade all of these brands again. That means there’s plenty of time for them to study up.

As professional TV-testers, no one understands this relationship better than us. That’s why we’re handing out report cards to the biggest names in the industry this week, grading each in categories ranging from price to performance and software. (Yesterday we evaluated LG's 2026 so far.)

Today, we’re taking a look at Sony, makers of OLEDs, QLEDs and, most recently, a lineup of TVs that tap a brand-new technology that the company has dubbed True RGB.

Pricing

Let’s start with the most controversial aspect of Sony’s presence in the TV space. You might’ve heard of something called “the Sony Tax,” a derisive term used to describe the often high price of Sony TVs relative to rival models.

I try to avoid this term on account of its flippancy, but there’s no denying that the cost of any given Sony TV is typically higher than TVs in the same class with similar specs.

Take, for instance, the recently released Sony Bravia 7 II. It’s the most affordable TV in Sony’s lineup to feature the brand’s True RGB display technology, but at the time of publishing, a 65-inch Bravia 7 II will set you back $1,999 at Best Buy.

For an entry-level RGB LED TV, this is relatively steep. Consider this: Hisense’s most-affordable RGB LED TV, the UR8, is $1,299. Even Samsung’s cheapest Micro RGB TV is $1,699 at the 65-inch size point.

Some TV experts and A/V enthusiasts would argue that Sony’s premium pricing is justified by the brand’s meticulous engineering and commitment to consistency. In fact, I’m one of those people — there isn’t a brand I trust more when it comes to how well a TV handles the little things. Everything from upscaling to motion handling is almost guaranteed to be exceptionally realized on a Sony TV, and Bravia TVs in particular are considered by many to be guided by the best picture processing in the game.

But there’s no way around it: Sony TVs are priced higher than most of the competition.

Grade: C-

Design

Just as Sony TVs are known for excellent processing, so too have they earned a reputation for showcasing thoughtful design approaches.

Oftentimes, Sony TVs arrive with multiple stand configurations to accommodate different home theater setups. Mid-range and high-end Sony TVs ship with remote controls that offer a full spread of buttons (including an input button), and in recent years, these remotes are often backlit — a hugely convenient feature.

The brand innovates in its design approach, too, which is not easy to do in an industry where standards are slow to change.

Take the Sony Bravia 9 II, for instance (Sony’s top TV for 2026). This TV’s pedestal-style stand is outfitted with a special, lenticular material that hides cables when viewed from the front.

The illusion is tough to explain unless you’re standing in front of the Bravia 9 II, but it’s unlike any design flourish on the market from competing brands.

Grade: A-

Features

For the majority of my career covering the TV industry, Sony has been behind the eight ball somewhat when it comes to features.

On one hand, the brand isn’t afraid to showcase relatively niche enhancements for audio- and video-related functions, and high-end Sony TVs offer a ton of ways to tweak the sound and picture. But, conversely, Sony lagged behind its competitors in standardizing out-of-the-box features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and it’s been slow to embrace the implementation of universal HDMI 2.1 inputs.

The good news is that the brand seems to be in the process of course-correcting. The Bravia 3 II — an entry-level model for 2026 — comes with a full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs. Weirdly, though, the Bravia 9 II is limited to just two out of four inputs with HDMI 2.1 functionality, due to the fact that it was developed over several years with an older chipset.

Grade: B-

Performance

If you’re interested in an accurate presentation, nothing looks quite as sharp as a Sony TV. Its engineers sink countless hours into the development of new technologies designed to bring the picture as close as possible to the creator’s intent. Even at the lower end of the Bravia TV lineup, you can pretty much always count on Sony to make the most of a set’s hardware — whatever the limitations may be.

To give you an idea of Sony’s commitment to accuracy, consider this: For as searingly bright as the Sony Bravia 9 II is capable of getting, if you put a 10% white window on the screen and measure it in the TV’s Professional SDR picture mode, you will almost certainly receive a rating of 100 nits on the dot. This is because 100 nits is the industry standard for professional reference monitors when mastering for SDR.

Sony TVs may not be the brightest in any given year, but the attention to detail on display in everything from sub-4K upscaling to color gradients is staggeringly good. As a result, its TVs often lap brighter, punchier TVs in several key performance categories.

In other words, high-end Sony TVs are built for picture enthusiasts.

Grade: A

Smart TV platform